Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sheets can the C18 take at once?
Six to seven sheets of 80 g/m2 paper. That is low, and it is a direct consequence of the P-5 cut: a 1.9 x 15 mm particle takes far more cutting work per sheet than a P-4 cut, and the C18 does it with a 360 W motor in a deskside cabinet. If you need P-5 and higher throughput, the SECURIO B24 at the same cut manages nine to eleven sheets and the B34 manages 13 to 15.
Is this really the same security level as the big HSM machines?
On paper, yes. The C18 at 1.9 x 15 mm produces a 28.5 mm2 particle, inside the 30 mm2 limit DIN 66399 sets for P-5, and HSM lists the full rating as P-5, T-5, E-4, F-2. That is identical to the SECURIO B34 in the same cut. What differs is capacity, not security: sheet rate, bin size, throat width and motor power all scale with the machine, while the particle does not.
Can it shred credit cards, and what about CDs?
Credit cards yes, optical media no. HSM lists paper, staples, paper clips and credit cards as rated materials for this model. There is no O rating for CDs or DVDs, and the micro-cut geometry is not designed to pass rigid polycarbonate. Feed cards one at a time. For discs you need a machine with an O rating, such as a P-4 cross-cut model, or a dedicated media destroyer.
How often does the bin fill up?
The container is 6.6 gallons (25 litres) and HSM measures it at roughly 319 shredded sheets at this cut. For one person destroying a folder or two a week, that is a monthly empty. For anyone shredding daily in volume it will be weekly or more. The machine detects a full container and stops automatically rather than backing waste up into the cutting head, and an inspection window lets you check without opening it.
Will it fit under a standard desk?
Usually. It is 14.37 in wide, 11.02 in deep and 21.34 in tall. Standard desk clearance is around 25 to 27 in, so it fits under most, though it is tall enough that a low modesty panel or a drawer pedestal can get in the way. It weighs 24.25 lb and has no castors, so measure before you buy rather than planning to slide it around.
Does it need oiling?
Micro-cut heads generate more paper dust than coarser cuts, so periodic lubrication helps roller life. HSM does not publish a fixed oiling interval for the C18 on its datasheet, so follow the operating instructions supplied with the machine. Use shredder oil only, applied across the intake with the machine running in reverse; aerosol lubricants and household oils can damage the head and are not covered by warranty.
Is this shredder NSA approved?
No. NSA/CSS Specification 02-01 requires a maximum 1 mm x 5 mm particle plus current listing on the NSA Evaluated Products List. The C18 cuts 1.9 x 15 mm, larger on both dimensions, and it is not on the EPL. DIN P-5 is a commercial confidentiality classification used across Europe and increasingly in US corporate policy; it has no standing as a US government classified destruction approval.
How does the C18 compare with the C16?
The C16 is smaller and lighter at 8.82 lb against 24.25 lb, uses a 160 W motor against 360 W, and tops out at P-4 in its cross-cut form. The C18 is the taller cabinet in the same family and is the only C-series machine offered at P-5. Both share a 6.6 gallon container. If your paper contains sensitive personal data, the C18 at 1.9 x 15 mm is the one that meets the usual policy requirement.