Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the intimus 45 CP7 NSA approved?
intimus states on its datasheet for this model that the 45 CP7 is included on the NSA/CSS Evaluated Products List. Two things matter for a procurement file. First, a P-7 rating on its own never establishes NSA listing — the NSA/CSS 02-01 specification requires a maximum 1 mm x 5 mm particle and the specific model being on the list. Second, the EPL is revised periodically. Verify the current list entry for your model and order date before you certify a purchase against it.
Can it shred CDs, DVDs or plastic cards?
No. intimus's datasheet lists the CP7's shreddable materials as paper with staples, and foil. Plastic cards and optical media are not rated for this cutting head, unlike the intimus 45 CP4 which handles both. A P-7 head cuts to 0.8 mm and forcing rigid media through it risks chipping the cylinders and putting the machine out of specification. Destroy discs and cards on a separate machine rated for them.
Only five sheets a pass? Is that a fault?
No, it is the physics of the cut. Producing a 3.6 mm2 particle means the same 395 W motor makes vastly more cuts per sheet than it does at P-4, so intimus derates the pass capacity to five sheets at 80 g/m2. Every P-7 machine in this size class behaves similarly. Feed it in small, even stacks rather than trying to force a folder through; overloading a micro-cut head is the fastest route to a jam and to premature cylinder wear.
How often will the bin need emptying?
Less often than the five-sheet figure suggests. The 45-litre bin holds around 1,500 sheets of P-7 waste per intimus's datasheet, because micro-cut particles settle far more densely than cross-cut ones. For a low-volume secure application that is typically two to four weeks. Empty before the particles reach the bin lip; micro-cut dust that packs back up into the cutting chamber is difficult to clear and can affect particle consistency.
What warranty does an NSA-listed intimus carry?
One year on parts, 90 days on labour and one year on the cutting cylinders, under intimus North America's high-security / NSA-listed shredder terms. This is a step down from the commercial class the 45 CP4 and 45 CP5 sit in, which carries two years parts and a lifetime limited cylinder warranty against fracture. If your requirement genuinely stops at P-5, moving up to P-7 costs you both throughput and warranty cover.
Will letter and legal paper fit?
Yes. The throat is 235 mm (9.25 in), and both letter and legal are 8.5 in on the short edge, so they feed portrait unfolded. A4 at 210 mm also fits. Tabloid at 11 in does not. On a five-sheet machine, folding tabloid to fit would leave you with an effective capacity of two or three sheets, so if oversize stock is part of the workload consider the intimus 175 CP7 with its 405 mm throat instead.
Does it need special maintenance?
It needs disciplined lubrication. intimus's warranty document states that cross-cut and micro-cut shredders require regular lubrication of the cutting cylinders and that failing to do so may void the warranty. Oil at every bin change using intimus cutting-block oil, applied across the full width of the feed opening, then run a short reverse cycle to distribute it. Do not use aerosol lubricants or vegetable oil; both leave residue that hardens between 0.8 mm cutters.