Question 1

Are you a licensed electrician?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Connected Spark Electrical holds an A Grade electrical licence (REC 37688). We're fully licensed and insured to carry out all residential and commercial electrical work in Victoria.

Question 2

Do you issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety for every job we complete. This is a legal requirement in Victoria and confirms the work has been done to Australian Standards.

Question 3

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we carry full public liability and professional indemnity insurance on every job.

Question 4

What areas do you service?

Accepted Answer

We're based in Mernda and service Melbourne's northern suburbs — including Doreen, South Morang, Epping, Lalor, Thomastown, Bundoora, Mill Park, Whittlesea, Wollert, Craigieburn, Mickleham, Donnybrook, Diamond Creek, and Greensborough.

Question 5

How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?

Accepted Answer

Signs include ceramic or rewireable fuses, no safety switches, circuits that trip frequently, or an insurer flagging the board. If you're unsure, we can assess it for you.

Question 6

How long does a switchboard upgrade take?

Accepted Answer

Most residential switchboard upgrades are completed in a single day. Power will be off for part of the day during the work.

Question 7

Do I need a switchboard upgrade for an EV charger?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. We assess your existing board capacity and only recommend an upgrade if it's genuinely required for safe operation of the charger.

Question 8

Can I install an EV charger without a switchboard upgrade?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, yes. We assess your existing board capacity during the site visit and only recommend an upgrade if it's genuinely necessary.

Question 9

How long does EV charger installation take?

Accepted Answer

Most installations are completed in a single visit, typically 2–4 hours.

Question 10

Which EV chargers do you install?

Accepted Answer

We install all major brands. If you haven't chosen a charger yet, we can advise on suitable options for your vehicle and home setup.

Question 11

What type of smoke alarm does Victoria require?

Accepted Answer

Victorian law requires smoke alarms that meet Australian Standard AS 3786, and homes built after August 1997 must have them mains-powered with a battery backup. We fit photoelectric alarms as standard because they detect the slow, smouldering fires that start at night faster than ionisation alarms do, and we interconnect them so that when one sounds, they all sound.

Question 12

I'm a landlord — what are my obligations?

Accepted Answer

Landlords must ensure compliant smoke alarms are installed before a new tenancy begins or when existing alarms are replaced.

Question 13

How often should smoke alarms be replaced?

Accepted Answer

Smoke alarms have a lifespan of 10 years. If your alarms are older than 10 years, they should be replaced.

Question 14

How do I test my safety switches?

Accepted Answer

Press the test button on each safety switch — it should trip immediately. If it doesn't, it's faulty and needs replacing. Test every six months.

Question 15

My safety switch keeps tripping — what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

A safety switch that trips on its own indicates a fault on the circuit it protects. Don't keep resetting it — call us to diagnose the fault.

Question 16

What counts as an electrical emergency?

Accepted Answer

Burning smells from outlets or the switchboard, visible sparking, a safety switch that won't stay on, total power loss, or any situation where you believe there's an immediate risk to safety.

Question 17

What should I do during an electrical emergency?

Accepted Answer

If it's safe to do so, turn off the main switch at the switchboard. Do not attempt to investigate or fix the fault yourself. Call us on 0468 097 469.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Switchboards

EV Chargers

Smoke Alarms

Safety Switches

Emergency

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