How Many Charging Lockers Does Your School Need? A Capacity Planning Guide
One of the most common mistakes schools make when buying charging lockers is getting the capacity wrong — either buying too few and creating queues, or over-specifying and wasting budget. This guide gives you a simple, practical framework to get it right the first time.
Step 1 — Count Your Devices, Not Your Students
Your charging locker capacity should match your device count, not your student headcount. These are often different numbers:
- A 1:1 program (one device per student) = device count equals student count
- A shared device pool (one device per 2–3 students) = device count is lower
- A BYOD school = you may only need charging for school-owned devices
Step 2 — Decide: Centralised or Classroom-Based?
Centralised charging (one large cabinet per floor or per building):
- Easier to manage and supervise
- Requires students to collect and return devices
- Better for secondary schools and universities
Classroom-based charging (one cabinet per classroom):
- Devices stay in the room — no transit risk
- Teachers manage their own classroom devices
- Better for primary schools and 1:1 programs
Step 3 — Apply the Formula
Devices per location ÷ Cabinet capacity = Cabinets needed
Common configurations:
| Scenario | Devices | Recommended Cabinet | Cabinets Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single classroom, 20 students | 20 | RIFE LS-Lab20 | 1 |
| Large classroom, 30 students | 30 | RIFE LS-Lab30 | 1 |
| Computer lab, 40 devices | 40 | RIFE LS-Lab40 | 1 |
| School of 120 devices, 4 classrooms | 120 | RIFE LS-Lab30 | 4 |
| Tablet program, 80 iPads | 80 | RIFE Tablet Charging Lockers | 6–8 |
Step 4 — Add a Buffer
Always plan for 10–15% more capacity than your current device count. Schools grow, device programs expand, and you don't want to be ordering additional cabinets mid-year.
Step 5 — Consider Overnight vs Daytime Charging
- Overnight charging — all devices charge simultaneously, so you need full capacity in one go
- Daytime rotation — if devices rotate between classes, you may be able to use fewer cabinets with a rotation schedule
Most Indian schools opt for overnight charging — simpler, safer, and ensures all devices are at 100% every morning.
What About Tablets and iPads?
If your school uses a mix of laptops and tablets, consider dedicated tablet charging lockers for iPad/tablet bays. RIFE offers 8, 10 and 15-bay tablet charging lockers specifically sized for tablets and iPads.
Getting a Quote
Once you have your device count and preferred configuration, contact RIFE for a school-specific quotation. We supply across India and can advise on the right mix of cabinet sizes for your layout.
Request a capacity planning consultation →
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I mix different cabinet sizes across classrooms?
A: Absolutely. Many schools use LS-Lab20 in smaller classrooms and LS-Lab30 or LS-Lab40 in larger labs.
Q: What if my device count grows next year?
A: RIFE cabinets are standalone units — you can simply add more cabinets as your program grows without replacing existing ones.
Q: Do the cabinets need to be fixed to a wall?
A: No — they are freestanding. Wall-fixing brackets are available for additional security if required.
