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If you’ve ever flipped a breaker back on and muttered, “Why does this thing keep tripping?” — you’re not alone. Especially in newer Fort Myers homes, where modern safety codes require arc-fault protection on most circuits, homeowners run into what we call “nuisance trips.” They’re annoying, confusing, and often misunderstood.
At Coharbor Electric, we hear about this all the time. A homeowner calls saying the breaker in their bedroom or living room keeps tripping for “no reason.” Sometimes it’s after they plug in a vacuum. Other times it’s random—no clear cause. But what’s really happening isn’t random at all. Arc-fault breakers are doing exactly what they were designed to do: prevent fires.
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters—AFCIs for short—are built to detect dangerous electrical arcing. Think of an arc like a mini lightning bolt inside your wiring. It happens when electricity jumps through the air between loose, damaged, or deteriorated connections.
That arc gives off intense heat—enough to start a fire behind your walls without ever tripping a normal breaker. AFCIs look for that “signature” of erratic current and shut the circuit down before things get out of hand.
In Fort Myers, where humidity, salt air, and constant storms take a toll on wiring, arc-fault protection is an essential layer of safety. It’s now required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) in almost every living area: bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms, family rooms, and sometimes even kitchens and laundries.
So, when your AFCI trips, it’s not broken—it’s doing its job. The tricky part is knowing whether it’s reacting to a real arcor just something harmless that looks similar.
Here’s where most of the confusion starts. Not all arcs are dangerous. Some are normal—like the tiny spark that happens when you flip a light switch or unplug a cord.
Nuisance trips happen when the breaker can’t tell the difference between a dangerous arc and a harmless one. Certain appliances or electronics with variable motors or switching power supplies—like treadmills, vacuums, or old ceiling fans—can “mimic” the same electrical noise that a real arc gives off.
Common culprits we’ve seen in Fort Myers homes include:
Vacuums, especially older models with brushed motors
Ceiling fans or box fans with loose wiring in the light kit
LED dimmer switches not rated for AFCI circuits
Plug-in air purifiers or treadmills
Outlets or extension cords with worn prongs
When those are on the same circuit as an AFCI breaker, the breaker sometimes trips even though there’s no real danger. That’s what we call a nuisance trip.
The mix of high humidity, corrosion, and older wiring in Southwest Florida adds another layer to the problem. Even small amounts of moisture or oxidation on outlets and connections can create tiny, harmless arcs that look suspicious to sensitive breakers.
Add in the fact that Florida homes often have multiple devices tied to one circuit—fans, chargers, A/C controls, smart home hubs—and it’s easy to see why some AFCI breakers work overtime.
We’ve also noticed this happens more frequently after storms or power surges. Lightning strikes nearby can leave a little carbon tracking or loosen terminals, which increases arcing until it’s corrected.
When we get a service call for an AFCI that won’t stop tripping, the first step is to determine whether it’s a real fault or a false alarm.
Here’s how we usually handle it:
Inspect the affected outlets and switches.
We look for loose terminals, worn plugs, or carbon marks that could indicate a real arc.
Check for device interference.
Certain appliances can cause noise that trips the breaker. We test each one individually to pinpoint the source.
Test the circuit wiring.
Using a megohmmeter or arc-fault tester, we can verify whether there’s damaged insulation or leakage current.
Verify neutral and ground connections.
Miswired or shared neutrals—common in older homes—can cause AFCIs to trip unnecessarily.
Review breaker brand compatibility.
Not all breakers respond the same. Sometimes replacing the breaker with a newer model or different brand solves the problem.
In many cases, nuisance trips come down to one loose outlet, one old fan, or one circuit that’s been overloaded with sensitive electronics.
We often get asked, “Wait—don’t I already have those safety outlets with the reset buttons?” Those are GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters), and they protect against electrical shock, not fire.
AFCIs detect arcing faults (fire risk).
GFCIs detect current leakage (shock risk).
In some areas, the code now requires dual-function breakers that handle both. If your panel uses those, and they’re tripping, it could be responding to either condition. That’s another reason it’s important to have a licensed electrician figure out what’s really going on before you start swapping breakers or devices yourself.
If your AFCI breaker trips often, here are a few things you can try—or better yet, have us check:
Replace worn plugs or cords. Anything loose or corroded should be tossed.
Avoid daisy-chaining power strips. Plug major appliances directly into outlets.
Check your dimmers. Make sure any dimmer switch is AFCI-compatible.
Keep humidity under control. Use a dehumidifier if your home feels damp—moisture can cause mild arcing in outlets.
Label your circuits. Knowing what’s on each one makes troubleshooting easier when something trips.
Yes, nuisance trips can be frustrating. But there’s a reason arc-fault protection is required—it saves lives and property. Electrical arcing is one of the leading causes of residential fires in the U.S., and many start behind the walls where nobody can see them coming.
We’ve been on service calls after small fires that started because of hidden wiring faults—often in homes that didn’t have AFCI protection. In those moments, that one “annoying” breaker starts to look a lot more like a hero.
The key is balancing protection with proper installation and maintenance so it doesn’t interrupt your daily life unnecessarily.
When we service homes around Fort Myers, we don’t just swap breakers and leave. We take time to trace the problem back to its root—whether it’s poor wiring, corrosion, or an incompatible device—and fix it right.
We also help homeowners upgrade to newer AFCI technology. Today’s breakers are far better at distinguishing between “good” and “bad” arcs, reducing nuisance trips dramatically.
If your home’s older or your panel hasn’t been updated in a while, upgrading your breakers can make a world of difference—not just in safety, but in reliability.
Arc-fault protection can be a little misunderstood, but it’s one of the most important safety features in modern electrical systems. While nuisance trips are frustrating, they’re also a sign that your system’s paying attention.
If you’re dealing with repeated AFCI trips—or you’re not sure whether your home’s protection is up to code—we can help.
⚡ Call Coharbor Electric today to schedule an inspection or breaker upgrade. We’ll troubleshoot the problem, make sure your wiring is safe, and help keep your Fort Myers home protected from electrical fires—without the unnecessary trips.
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