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Sewage Ejector Pump - Float Switch Tripping GFCI

Problem Description

A sewage ejector pump for a basement bathroom (toilet, sink, tub/shower) is tripping the GFCI occasionally. The pump is a standard model from home depot (Everbilt 3/4 HP Cast Iron Sewage Ejector Pump ESE60W-HD). The bathroom is rarely used, but in the last few months, it gets used a little more than usual (maybe once/twice a day). The GFCI is on its own 20a circuit. The user can remove the piggyback float switch, run the pump, and plug it all back in and it's fine. But sometimes when the float switch is engaged (tank gets filled) gfci will trip, and it is getting more often now that it is seeing use. It is not narrowed down if it's when solids are in the basin or not. The user is unsure if it's a matter of just replacing the float switch or replacing the entire pump.

Possible Causes and Solutions

The GFCI trips due to a ground fault or short. GFCI's can be a nuisance on pump applications and trip for no reason. Try a new GFCI first. Unplug the pump and the piggyback switch for troubleshooting. Measure the resistance to ground on each power pin of the piggyback switch and the pump with a multimeter. Also measure from each power pin to the ground pin on its connector. It takes about 25000 Ohms (25 kOhm) or less to trip the GFCI. You would want the ohmmeter/multimeter measurements to be over 1,000,000 Ohms (1 MOhm.).

Resolution

A new float switch was installed, and manually engaged, and there was no tripping. The lid was not bolted down at all - just caulked shut. The user caulked it shut again.