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Few things are more frustrating than a breaker that won’t stop tripping. You’re cooking dinner, doing laundry, or relaxing with the AC running — and suddenly, click, half the room goes dark.
If you live in Fort Myers, you’re not alone. Between older wiring, humidity, and growing electrical demands, tripping breakers are one of the most common service calls we get at Coharbor Electric.
As a licensed master electrician, I’ll walk you through why breakers trip, what you can safely check yourself, and when it’s time to call a professional.
Your breaker panel (or electrical panel) is your home’s power distribution center. Each breaker protects a specific circuit — a group of outlets, lights, or appliances.
When a circuit carries more electricity than it can safely handle, the breaker “trips,” cutting off power. This prevents overheating and potential fires.
In other words:
A tripped breaker = your home’s safety system doing its job.
However, when breakers trip repeatedly, it’s a sign something’s wrong.
New to the basics? This quick guide to breakers and fuses explains how protection works in Fort Myers homes and why trips happen.
Here in Southwest Florida, the combination of heat, humidity, and older homes creates unique electrical challenges. Here are the most common culprits:
This is by far the most common cause. When too many appliances draw power on the same circuit, the breaker trips.
For example:
Running a microwave and toaster on the same kitchen circuit.
Using multiple hair dryers, irons, or space heaters at once.
Plugging high-draw devices into a single outlet strip.
Older homes in Fort Myers, especially those with 100-amp panels, often weren’t designed for today’s power-hungry appliances.
Quick Fix: Try unplugging some devices and resetting the breaker. If it stays on, you’ve found the issue. If it trips again — the problem’s deeper.
A short circuit happens when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire, creating a sudden surge of current.
You may notice:
A pop or spark when plugging something in.
A burning smell or blackened outlet.
The breaker tripping immediately after reset.
Short circuits are dangerous and should only be handled by a licensed electrician.
Fort Myers Tip: Humidity and salt air can accelerate corrosion inside outlets, increasing short circuit risks — especially in garages or lanais.
Similar to short circuits, ground faults occur when electricity strays from its intended path — often through water or a person.
These faults are most common in:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Outdoor outlets
Pool and spa areas
That’s why GFCI breakers or outlets (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) are required in these areas. They shut off power instantly if they detect even a tiny imbalance in current flow.
If your GFCI breaker keeps tripping, moisture or faulty wiring may be to blame.
Breakers can wear out over time, especially in coastal environments like Fort Myers, where salt and humidity cause corrosion.
Signs of a bad breaker include:
Breaker won’t stay reset
Feels hot to the touch
Trips under light load
No visible issue on the circuit
If your panel is 20+ years old or uses outdated brands (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Challenger), it may be time for an upgrade.
Learn more: How to Spot an Unsafe Electrical Panel in Fort Myers Homes
Loose wire connections increase resistance — which creates heat and triggers breaker trips.
This can happen inside outlets, junction boxes, or the panel itself. Corrosion from moisture intrusion (common after storms) can worsen the problem.
Warning: This type of issue can cause arcing — small electrical sparks that can lead to fires. If you suspect this, turn off the breaker and call an electrician immediately.
Sometimes the breaker isn’t the problem — the appliance is.
A failing coffee maker, vacuum, or power tool can have an internal short that repeatedly trips a circuit. Try unplugging all devices and reconnecting them one at a time.
If the breaker trips only when a specific item is plugged in — you’ve found your culprit.
An arc fault occurs when electricity jumps (arcs) between damaged or frayed wires.
It doesn’t always cause a direct short, but it does create intense heat — enough to start a fire.
Modern homes use AFCI breakers (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) to detect and stop this type of fault. If your AFCI breaker trips frequently, it may be doing its job — detecting a real wiring problem.
Learn more: Arc-Fault & GFCI Breakers in Fort Myers Homes Explained
If you’re seeing nuisance trips or aren’t sure what AFCI/GFCI really do, start with arc-fault breakers explained — a simple breakdown for Southwest Florida homeowners.
Turn off or unplug devices on the affected circuit.
Open your electrical panel (usually in the garage or utility room).
Find the breaker that’s in the middle position or showing red/orange.
Flip it fully to OFF, then firmly back to ON.
If it immediately trips again, don’t force it — that’s a sign of a short or wiring issue.
You should call a licensed electrician if:
The same breaker trips repeatedly.
You smell burning or see scorch marks.
Breakers feel hot to the touch.
The breaker won’t reset.
You’ve had water or storm damage near your panel.
Even one of these signs can indicate serious wiring or panel problems.
Want quick answers on timelines, costs, and what’s normal vs. not? Browse our Fort Myers-focused repair FAQ for practical next steps.
Our coastal environment poses a few extra challenges:
High humidity corrodes breaker terminals.
Salt air causes early panel degradation.
Hurricanes and surges weaken insulation over time.
Older wiring in mid-century homes isn’t designed for modern loads.
At Coharbor Electric, we use corrosion-resistant breakers, panels, and fittings designed for Florida’s coastal climate — ensuring longer life and better performance.
Here’s how to keep your system safe and reliable:
✅ Schedule a professional electrical inspection every 3–5 years.
✅ Label your panel correctly so you know which circuit is which.
✅ Avoid plugging multiple high-draw appliances into one circuit.
✅ Upgrade to a 200-amp panel if your home still has 100A service.
✅ Add AFCI and GFCI breakers for enhanced safety.
✅ Install whole-home surge protection to prevent storm-related damage.
Learn more about upgrades here: Electrical Panel Upgrades in Fort Myers
Still getting repeated AFCI trips? This local guide to arc-fault nuisance trips shows common causes and smart fixes in Florida homes.
A homeowner near McGregor Blvd called us because their kitchen breaker tripped every time they used the toaster and microwave together.
After inspection, we found that both were on the same 20-amp circuit — already overloaded by a refrigerator and coffee maker.
We added a dedicated circuit for the appliances and replaced a corroded outlet. Problem solved — no more trips, and the system now meets code.
A tripping breaker isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s your home’s way of warning you something isn’t right. Whether it’s an overloaded circuit, moisture issue, or outdated panel, ignoring it can lead to bigger (and more dangerous) problems.
If you’re dealing with repeat breaker trips, burning smells, or unexplained power loss, don’t guess — let a professional inspect it safely.
Contact Coharbor Electric today for expert troubleshooting and repair anywhere in Fort Myers or Lee County. Our team of licensed electricians will find the cause, fix it right, and help prevent future issues.
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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: