Frequently asked questions
shredders

DAHLE document shredders come in three different cut types: strip cut, cross or particle cut, and micro cut. Cut types describe the kind of particles that are created when shredding a sheet of paper. Strip cut means the sheet is sliced into multiple strips. Cross cut (also known as particle cut) means the sheet is cut both vertically and horizontally, producing small particles; the size of these particles depends on the security level. Micro cut means the sheet of paper is shredded into small particles, similar to cross cut. The difference between cross cut and micro cut is particle size: micro cut produces significantly smaller particles than cross cut.

Particle cut (also known as cross cut) means a sheet of paper is shredded into small particles. The sheet is sliced both vertically and horizontally, so small particles are all that remain after shredding. The size of these particles depends on the security level of the document shredder.  

Document shredders with particle cut 

Cross cut (also known as particle cut) means a sheet of paper is chopped into small particles. The sheet is cut both vertically and horizontally, so that only small particles are left over. The size of these particles depends on the security level of the document shredder.

Document shredders with cross cut 

Document shredders with strip cut shred a sheet of paper into multiple strips. The width of these strips depends on the security level. Strip cut does not always reliably prevent reproduction of the destroyed data, so this type of document shredding is only suitable for certain types of information. 

Document shredders with strip cut 

Ensuring that your document shredder has a long, trouble-free service life requires occasional maintenance. In addition to emptying the waste container, for some devices this includes oiling the cutting rollers. Oiling maintains your shredder’s cutting capacity, prevents paper jams and extends the service life of your document shredder. Our range also includes a large selection of oil-free document shredders. 

Document shredder oils & spare parts 

Every document shredder has an individual run time. Depending on the device’s cutting capacity, a document shredder can operate for a certain amount of time before it needs to be paused for a while. So run time refers to the amount of time for which a document shredder can continuously destroy documents. The longer the run time, the longer a document shredder can keep working. For large volumes of paper, document shredders with automatic paper feeder (autofeed function) are the best choice; these devices destroy entire stacks of paper at once, getting through large volumes in shorter run times.  

The right waste collection volume for your document shredder depends on two factors. First, establish how many people will be using the document shredder. The more people use the device, the bigger the waste collection volume should be. As a rule of thumb we recommend 1–3 people = up to 40 l, 4–7 people = 25–100 l, 8–12 people = 40–160 l, more than 12 people = up to 190 l. Next, think about how often those people will be using the document shredder. If the document shredder is only for occasional use, we suggest a device from the lower end of the recommended volume range. For frequent use, you should choose an option from the higher end of the range. If the document shredder will be used only rarely or very rarely, a device from the next smaller volume range may be sufficient. 

Any DAHLE document shredder can easily destroy data in paper form, but some devices will also shred CDs, DVDs and cards. Many DAHLE document shredders have separate collection bins for paper, CDs, DVDs and cards, allowing you to separate and dispose of the different materials easily and in an environmentally friendly way.  

ISO/IEC 66399 (DIN 21964) defines seven security levels for destroying data using document shredders. The security levels are named by abbreviating the respective type of data carrier and adding ascending numbers from 1 to 7, for example P-4. The rule of thumb is: The higher the number following the P, the smaller the shredded particles and the less likely it is that the information can be recovered. The appropriate security level is determined by the content of the data you want to destroy: the more sensitive the content, the higher the recommended security level.   

Security levels for document shredders