The electrochemical hydrogen pump properties of the SrZr0.8In0.2O3- proton conducting oxide were evaluated under various atmospheres, temperatures and the effect of oxygen gas in the cathode for the recovery of hydrogen isotopes. It was found that high temperature is not necessarily required and protonic conductivity of the proton conducting oxide rather than total conductivity should be observed to improve the performance of the hydrogen pump. Furthermore, the presence of oxygen in the cathode compartment plays an important role in the enhancement of the hydrogen pump performance.