Patent ID: 7876539

Claim:
A sump pump apparatus for use with a ground fault circuit interrupter, the sump pump apparatus comprising: a motor; a float switch electrically connected to the motor, the float switch having an on position and an off position to control the operation of the motor, the ground fault circuit interrupter connected to the float switch, the ground fault circuit interrupter including at least one ground fault circuit interrupter switch; a motor switch connected to a line conductor connected to the motor, the motor switch being open when the motor shuts down; and a current dampening device electrically connected in parallel to the motor between the motor and the float switch, the current dampening device helping prevent false tripping of the ground fault circuit interrupter, the current dampening device dampening transient current released by the motor after the motor shuts down and the motor switch is open to a current level that is below a threshold trip value of the ground fault circuit interrupter so that the at least one ground fault circuit interrupter switch remains closed.