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If you’ve ever looked inside your home’s electrical panel and noticed breakers labeled “AFCI” or “GFCI,” you might have wondered what they actually do — and why they’re so important.
These two breaker types — Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)— are crucial safety devices that protect your home from electrical fires and shock hazards.
As a licensed master electrician here in Fort Myers, I’ve installed hundreds of these breakers in homes old and new. And I’ve also seen what can happen when they’re missing or misused.
Let’s take a closer look at how these breakers work, why they’re required by code, and how Florida homeowners can keep their electrical systems safe and compliant.
Southwest Florida homes face a unique mix of electrical challenges — humidity, salt air, frequent thunderstorms, and aging wiring. Over time, these conditions increase the risk of electrical faults, corrosion, and power surges.
Arc-fault and GFCI protection are your first line of defense against those hazards. They go beyond standard breakers by detecting how electricity is flowing — not just how much.
A GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker protects people from electrical shock caused by ground faults.
A ground fault happens when electricity strays outside its intended path — for example, through water or a person. GFCI breakers monitor the current leaving and returning through a circuit. If even a small difference (as little as 5 milliamps) is detected, the breaker shuts off instantly.
According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), GFCI protection is required in any area where water and electricity may come into contact, including:
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Garages
Laundry rooms
Outdoor outlets
Pool and spa areas
Crawl spaces and basements
In Fort Myers, GFCI breakers are also common for outdoor living spaces and lanai circuits, where moisture and humidity are high.
GFCI protection can come from either:
A GFCI outlet (the kind with TEST and RESET buttons), or
A GFCI breaker in your electrical panel.
Both offer the same protection. However, GFCI breakers protect all outlets and devices on that circuit — not just one location.
New to the basics and breaker labels? Our Fort Myers guide — the panels FAQ — explains capacity, labeling, and everyday safety in simple terms.
An AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker protects your home from electrical fires caused by arcing.
An arc fault occurs when electricity jumps or “arcs” between damaged or loose wires. These arcs create intense heat that can ignite nearby insulation or wood — even without tripping a standard breaker.
AFCI breakers continuously monitor current flow for irregular waveforms that indicate arcing and shut off power before a fire starts.
Per current NEC requirements, AFCI protection is required in:
Bedrooms
Living rooms and family rooms
Dining rooms
Hallways
Closets
Dens and home offices
Basically, anywhere people live or sleep. In new Fort Myers construction, almost every general-use circuit inside the home is now AFCI-protected.
Parallel Arcing: Between hot and neutral conductors (damaged insulation, loose wire).
Series Arcing: Along a single conductor (loose connection or broken wire).
Combination Arcing: Both types — which is why most modern AFCIs are labeled “Combination Type.”
While both breakers improve safety, they protect against different hazards:
| Breaker Type | Protects Against | Typical Locations |
|---|---|---|
| GFCI | Electrical shock (ground faults) | Kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoors |
| AFCI | Electrical fires (arcing faults) | Bedrooms, living areas, hallways |
| Dual-Function AFCI/GFCI | Both shock & fire hazards | New homes, remodels, or combined circuits |
In many modern Fort Myers homes — especially those built after 2017 — dual-function breakers are becoming the norm, combining both types of protection in one device.
For a clear, Florida-specific breakdown of where each device is required, see our guide to GFCI and AFCI requirements.
Many homeowners call us frustrated because their AFCI or GFCI breakers “keep tripping.” While it can seem like a nuisance, tripping is actually a sign the breaker is doing its job.
Moisture in outdoor or bathroom outlets (especially during rainy season).
Damaged cords or plugs on appliances.
Loose connections in outlets or switches.
Old ceiling fans or lighting fixtures creating arc faults.
Shared neutrals (common in older wiring setups).
If your breaker trips repeatedly, it’s best to have it inspected by a licensed electrician. Sometimes it’s a true hazard — other times it’s just an older appliance causing nuisance tripping. Either way, you shouldn’t ignore it.
If lights are wavering or dimming during storms or high-load moments, this quick guide to light flickering issues shows when it’s normal — and when it points to a wiring problem.
In Florida, both AFCI and GFCI protection are mandatory for new construction and most remodeling projects.
The City of Fort Myers and Lee County Building Department strictly enforce these requirements through electrical permitting and inspection.
At Coharbor Electric, we ensure every installation — whether it’s a kitchen remodel or a full panel upgrade — complies with NEC 2023 and local amendments.
If your Fort Myers home is more than 20 years old, there’s a good chance you still have standard breakers that provide noarc or ground-fault protection.
Upgrading to AFCI or GFCI breakers offers:
Greater protection against electrical fires and shocks
Compliance with modern safety codes
Lower insurance risk
Peace of mind for families and rental properties
We often install these breakers during:
Panel upgrades (100A → 200A)
Kitchen or bathroom remodels
Room additions
Home safety inspections
For older homes, even partial upgrades (adding GFCIs to wet areas) can dramatically improve safety.
Learn more about our electrical panel upgrades in Fort Myers.
While you’re modernizing protection, review the most common electrical code issues we find in Fort Myers homes so you can fix them in one trip.
A homeowner near Colonial Boulevard called us after their AFCI breaker kept tripping every time they used the vacuum cleaner.
Upon inspection, we found the circuit had a loose neutral wire inside an outlet that was arcing every time the motor turned on. The AFCI detected it and tripped before any damage could occur.
We tightened the connection, replaced a scorched outlet, and retested — problem solved. Without the AFCI breaker, that small arc could have eventually started a fire.
At Coharbor Electric, we’re more than just electricians — we’re safety partners for local homeowners.
Our team specializes in:
AFCI & GFCI breaker installation and troubleshooting
Electrical panel upgrades
Code-compliant remodel wiring
Whole-home safety inspections
We use corrosion-resistant, humidity-rated materials designed for Florida’s coastal conditions — ensuring your system lasts and stays reliable.
AFCI and GFCI breakers are two of the most important electrical safety advancements in decades. They prevent fires, shocks, and countless emergencies every year — and they’re especially valuable in Fort Myers, where moisture, storms, and older wiring are part of daily life.
If your home doesn’t have modern arc-fault or ground-fault protection, it’s worth getting your electrical panel evaluated.
Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule an inspection or panel upgrade. We’ll help you ensure your Fort Myers home is safe, code-compliant, and protected for years to come.
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