G'day! Let's have a squiz at your power board. Or, even worse, that one "junk drawer" in the kitchen. If you're like most Aussies, it's a proper bird's nest – a tangled mess of white, black, and grey cables and those little square "bricks" we all know and love (and are always losing).

The USB charger is a fair dinkum essential part of modern life. We've got phones, tablets, watches, headphones, you name it – all needing their daily dose of juice. But not all chargers are created equal. Using a dodgy, slow one is a recipe for frustration. Let's get the lowdown on the different types and what you should be using.

The Old vs. The New: USB-A vs. USB-C

For donkey's years, the standard USB chargers used the classic USB-A port. That's the big, rectangular one you have to try plugging in three times before it finally fits. It's a reliable old workhorse, but it's slow.

The new champion, and the one that's on every new phone, tablet, and even most new laptops, is USB-C. It's that small, oval-shaped port that's reversible (you beauty!). But its real superpower isn't just the shape; it's the technology behind it. USB-C supports "Power Delivery" (PD), a clever tech that lets the charger 'talk' to your device and deliver the absolute fastest, safest charge it can handle.

What's This "Fast Charging" and "GaN" Hype?

If you've bought a new phone recently, you know it can go from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. That's not magic – that's a modern USB charger with high wattage.

The real game-changer in this space is a new tech called GaN (Gallium Nitride). In plain English, it's a new material for the internal bits that's way more efficient than the old silicon. This means you can get a USB charger with a massive amount of power (like 65W or 100W – enough to charge your laptop) in a tiny brick that fits in your pocket. It's proper, futuristic-level stuff that's making those big, heavy laptop bricks look like dinosaurs.

The Ultimate Upgrade: The Wall Socket with Built-in USB

Now, if you're really sick of those clunky charger bricks, the schmickest solution (especially if you're doing a reno) is to ditch them altogether. You can now get your power points (GPOs) with USB ports built right into the wall plate.

This is a fair dinkum game-changer for convenience and looks.

• It Frees Up Your Sockets: You can still plug your lamp and your alarm clock in, and charge your phone at the same time.
• It's Clean and Tidy: No more big, ugly bricks hanging off the wall. It just looks so much cleaner.
• The Best Ones Have USB-C: While the older models just had USB-A ports, the new-school ones (and the ones you should be getting) come with high-power USB-C ports built right in, so you're ready for fast charging all your new gear.

The CRITICAL Safety Warning: This is NOT a DIY Job!

Righto, let's get serious for a sec, because this is the most important part of the whole article.

Grabbing a new GaN USB charger brick and plugging it into the wall? That's a "go for your life" DIY job. Too easy.

But installing or replacing a power point (GPO) with a built-in USB port involves working directly with your home's 240V mains power. In Australia, it is illegal and extremely dangerous for anyone other than a licensed professional to perform this work. You're dealing with live power, and a simple mistake can lead to a fatal electric shock or a house fire.

This work must only ever be carried out by a licensed electrician. They have the training, tools, and legal authority to do the job safely and ensure it's compliant with Australian standards.

A Professional Job Needs Professional Gear

A licensed electrician will always use high-quality, compliant components to ensure your installation is safe and will last for donkey's years. This is why they source their gear from trusted trade suppliers, not just the local hardware shelf.

As one of Australia's most comprehensive electrical wholesaler and suppliers, Schnap Electric Products is a leading source for professional-grade gear. They stock the complete range of modern, high-quality power points, including the latest GPOs with built-in fast-charging USB-C ports, from the most trusted trade brands. On top of that, they provide all the essential, compliant wiring and switchboard components that a qualified professional needs to get the job done right. For a schmick, safe, and fully compliant reno, the pros rely on quality gear from a supplier like Schnap Electric.