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Electrical issues in older homes can be tricky — especially when the problem hides behind the walls. One of the most deceptive and dangerous issues we encounter is a neutral fault, a wiring problem that can cause flickering lights, power fluctuations, and even damage to appliances.
This case study from a 1978 Fort Myers home shows how Coharbor Electric tracked down a hidden neutral fault that left the homeowners frustrated — and at risk — until we uncovered the cause.
The homeowners, a retired couple living off McGregor Blvd, called us after weeks of unexplained electrical problems:
Lights dimming or flickering across multiple rooms
Outlets that would randomly stop working
A burning smell near one corner of the living room
Multiple “ghost trips” from breakers that weren’t actually overloaded
They’d already had another electrician out who replaced a few outlets — but the symptoms returned within days.
When they called Coharbor Electric, they just wanted “everything back to normal.”
If your lights are pulsing or dimming across rooms like this case, here’s a quick guide on why light flickering means trouble in Fort Myers homes.
When we arrived, we started with a panel inspection. The home had a 1970s Federal Pacific panel — a brand known for breakers that fail to trip properly. We immediately flagged this as a safety concern and noted visible corrosion on the neutral bus bar from years of humidity exposure.
Next, we measured voltage across several circuits. Readings fluctuated between 98V and 126V, which is far from normal. Stable power should stay around 120V ±5%.
That kind of voltage swing typically indicates a neutral fault — when the return path (neutral wire) becomes loose or damaged somewhere in the circuit.
Coastal humidity and salt air speed up corrosion — learn practical ways to protect connections in our Fort Myers guide on humidity effects on wiring.
The neutral wire completes the electrical circuit by carrying current back to the panel. If it’s loose, corroded, or broken, it can cause:
Lights to flicker or brighten unpredictably
Sensitive electronics to fail prematurely
Circuits to overheat
In severe cases, electrical fires
Unlike a short circuit (which trips the breaker immediately), a neutral fault can linger undetected — a hidden danger that quietly damages equipment over time.
We began a systematic check using both visual inspection and continuity testing:
Panel Neutral Bar Check – Several neutral conductors showed discoloration and oxidation. We cleaned the bus and re-terminated them to eliminate surface resistance.
Outlet and Switch Checks – We tested neutral continuity at outlets throughout the living room, kitchen, and bedroom circuits. Most checked fine — except one.
Voltage Drop Testing – A lamp circuit in the living room showed erratic voltage readings even with low loads. That’s where we focused our search.
Thermal Imaging – Using our FLIR thermal camera, we scanned the walls and ceiling. One junction point in the attic showed elevated temperatures — a possible loose connection.
After tracing the circuit through the attic, we found it:
A wire nut connection that had nearly burned through, hidden under insulation and barely hanging on. The neutral conductor inside was blackened and brittle.
The home had been partially rewired during a 1990s remodel, and the neutral splice was left floating in an attic junction box — not properly tightened or secured.
Over the years, heat, humidity, and vibration loosened the connection. Each time power flowed, the neutral arced slightly, causing intermittent voltage drops and flickering lights throughout the home.
If left unchecked, it could have caused a major electrical fire.
Our repair process included:
Removing the damaged neutral conductors and connectors
Installing new copper conductors rated for 20A service
Using high-temperature rated wirenuts and anti-oxidant compound for corrosion protection
Resealing the junction box with a new cover plate
Cleaning and retorquing all neutral and ground connections in the main panel
We also recommended — and later completed — a 200-amp panel upgrade with whole-home surge protection to replace the outdated Federal Pacific unit.
Learn more: Panel Upgrade Permits in Fort Myers
After completing the repairs, we rechecked voltage across all circuits. Every outlet and light in the home now read a clean, stable 120.3 volts.
The flickering stopped immediately.
No more surges, no more tripping breakers — and the burning smell disappeared completely.
The homeowners said it was the first time in years they could run their kitchen lights and living room lamps without dimming.
Older homes in Fort Myers — especially those built in the 1960s to 1980s — often have aging aluminum or mixed-metal wiring, along with corroded neutrals from years of coastal humidity.
Here’s what you can do to prevent similar problems:
✅ Schedule electrical inspections every 3–5 years.
Especially if your home still has its original panel or wiring.
✅ Upgrade outdated panels.
Brands like Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and Challenger have known safety defects.
✅ Watch for warning signs.
Lights flickering across multiple rooms
Outlets that shock or smell hot
Buzzing or crackling near walls or switches
Appliances running hotter than normal
✅ Don’t ignore “intermittent” issues.
Electrical problems that come and go are often the most dangerous because they indicate loose or arcing connections.
If your 1960s–1980s home has aluminum branch circuits, see when homeowners choose aluminum to copper pigtailing instead of a full rewire.
Catching this hidden neutral fault early prevented:
Potential fire damage
Costly appliance replacement
Complete panel failure
What started as “just flickering lights” turned out to be a serious wiring hazard — one that could’ve ended very differently if ignored.
That’s why, at Coharbor Electric, we don’t just fix symptoms — we find the source.
Neutral faults are among the hardest electrical problems to diagnose, especially in older homes where wiring has been spliced and patched over the decades. But with the right experience, tools, and attention to detail, they can be identified and corrected safely.
If you live in an older Fort Myers home and you’re noticing flickering lights, warm outlets, or random power fluctuations — don’t wait until it becomes a bigger issue.
For timelines, costs, and what’s normal vs. urgent after a repair like this, skim our Fort Myers-focused repair FAQ.
Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule a diagnostic inspection. We’ll help you uncover the cause, repair it safely, and make sure your electrical system is ready for the next 40 years.
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