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Your electrical panel is one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of your home. It quietly distributes power to every light, outlet, and appliance. But when something goes wrong, that same panel can become a serious fire hazard.
Here in Fort Myers, where many homes were built decades ago and weathered countless storms, unsafe or outdated electrical panels are more common than most homeowners realize.
As a master electrician serving Fort Myers and Lee County, I’ve inspected thousands of panels. Many looked fine at first glance — but behind the cover, there were hidden dangers that could have easily led to a fire or shock hazard.
So, how can you tell if your electrical panel might be unsafe? Let’s break it down.
Your panel — sometimes called a breaker box — is the control center for your home’s electrical system. It distributes electricity from your utility connection into circuits that power different areas of your home.
When a circuit becomes overloaded, the breaker should trip, cutting off the flow of electricity before damage occurs. But if your panel is outdated or faulty, it might not do its job. That’s when problems start.
There are a few reasons why electrical panels tend to become unsafe here in Southwest Florida:
Age – Many Fort Myers homes still have panels installed in the 1970s or earlier.
Humidity and salt air – Corrosion is a constant threat near the coast.
Hurricane exposure – Water intrusion from past storms can weaken connections.
Added electrical loads – New appliances, pool heaters, and EV chargers put stress on older systems.
Over time, even a well-installed panel can deteriorate — and the warning signs aren’t always obvious.
1. Frequent Breaker Trips
If your breakers trip often, it’s a sign your panel is overloaded or that breakers are wearing out. Frequent trips aren’t just annoying — they’re your system warning you something isn’t right.2. Rust or Corrosion
Moisture and salt air can corrode metal components inside your panel. If you see rust, white powdery residue, or green discoloration on wires or screws, call an electrician immediately. Corrosion weakens connections and increases the risk of overheating.3. Buzzing, Crackling, or Popping Sounds
Your panel should operate silently. Any buzzing or crackling sounds can indicate arcing — when electricity jumps between loose or damaged connections. This is a serious fire hazard that requires immediate attention.4. Warm or Hot Panel Cover
A panel that feels warm to the touch means it’s working harder than it should — possibly due to an overloaded breaker or bad connection. This is a clear warning sign that something inside isn’t safe.5. Burn Marks or Melting
Discoloration, scorch marks, or a burning smell near your panel indicate electrical arcing or overheating. If you notice this, turn off power immediately and contact a licensed electrician.6. Breakers That Don’t Trip
A breaker that never trips — even when you’re clearly overloading it — could be stuck. Faulty breakers fail to protect your wiring, allowing overheating that can cause a fire.7. Outdated or Recalled Panel Brands
Certain electrical panel brands used in older homes are now known to be unsafe. If your Fort Myers home still has one of these, it’s time for a replacement:8. Overcrowded or Double-Tapped Breakers
In many older homes, homeowners or unlicensed workers have tried to add new circuits by “double-tapping” breakers — connecting two wires to a single terminal. This is against code and can cause loose connections and arcing.9. Missing or Damaged Panel Cover
Every electrical panel must have a secure, closed cover to protect from contact and keep dust or moisture out. Missing screws, open knockouts, or broken doors are all safety issues.10. Visible Aluminum Wiring
Some older Fort Myers homes (especially from the late 1960s–1970s) use aluminum branch wiring, which expands and contracts over time, causing loose connections and overheating. Panels with aluminum wiring need professional inspection. Many Fort Myers homeowners start here — our panels FAQ covers the most common concerns, from flickering lights to breaker heat.Fort Myers’ climate plays a big role in panel deterioration. Humidity and salt air corrode internal parts faster than in inland areas. After hurricanes, even panels that weren’t submerged can absorb moisture, weakening the insulation and conductors inside.
That’s why local electricians — like Coharbor Electric — always use corrosion-resistant materials and weather-rated enclosures for replacements and upgrades.
If you’d like to walk through your home safely before calling a pro, download our free home safety checklist designed for Fort Myers homeowners.
If your panel is over 25–30 years old, has visible damage, or belongs to one of the recalled brands, it’s time to plan for a replacement.
Modern panels offer:
Safer breakers with better trip reliability.
Room for future circuits (EV chargers, pool heaters, solar, etc.).
Compatibility with whole-home surge protection.
Code compliance for resale and insurance.
Our team regularly upgrades Fort Myers homes from outdated 100A or 150A panels to modern 200A systems, ensuring the home is ready for today’s electrical demands.
Learn more about our electrical panel upgrades here.
Before you decide, check this comparison of subpanel vs main panel to see which setup makes the most sense for your home’s layout and load.If you suspect your panel might be unsafe, don’t try to take the cover off yourself — panels contain live parts that can cause severe shock.
Instead, schedule a home electrical safety inspection. A licensed electrician can:
Check for overheating and arcing.
Test breaker performance.
Identify hidden corrosion.
Ensure proper grounding and bonding.
Inspections are quick, affordable, and could save your home from a costly — or even catastrophic — electrical fire.
If you’re dealing with nuisance trips or unexplained power loss, check our guide on tripping breakers for simple steps before scheduling service.
A homeowner off Colonial Boulevard called us after noticing a faint burning smell near their laundry room. When we inspected the panel, we found:
A 1980s Challenger breaker panel with signs of melting.
Loose neutral connections causing arcing.
Corroded bus bars from humidity exposure.
We immediately replaced the panel with a new 200A Square D QO panel equipped with surge protection. The homeowner now has a safer, more reliable system — and peace of mind knowing their electrical setup meets today’s standards.
At Coharbor Electric, we specialize in identifying and replacing unsafe electrical panels throughout Fort Myers and Lee County.
Our licensed electricians provide:
Comprehensive safety inspections
Load calculations and system design
Professional panel replacements
Surge protection installation
Code-compliant repairs and maintenance
We don’t just swap panels — we make sure your entire system is safe, efficient, and ready for the Florida climate.
An unsafe electrical panel is like a ticking time bomb — you might not see the danger until it’s too late. But with regular inspections and timely upgrades, you can keep your Fort Myers home safe for decades to come.
If your panel is old, corroded, or showing signs of trouble, don’t wait for the next flicker or breaker trip to take action.
Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule an inspection or request a panel upgrade estimate. We’ll help you ensure your home’s electrical system is safe, modern, and built to last — even in the Florida climate.
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Serving Southwest Florida including: Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, and more...
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At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
Our Promise is to to You is to perform the job completely, efficiently, and to the Florida electrical code standards. We are committed to fair and honest pricing.
We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for.
As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians: