Kobra 240 HS

The Kobra 240 HS is a P-6 high-security shredder that reduces paper to 0.8 x 9.5 mm (1/32 x 3/8 in) particles, about 7.6 mm² each, feeding 5-6 sheets of 80 g/m² paper per pass. It shares the compact 240 cabinet, 9.5 in (240 mm) throat and 9.5-gallon (35-liter) bin with its siblings, but replaces their coarser heads with a far finer one. It is meant for R&D groups, HR and legal teams whose policy names P-6 and who shred modest volumes.

Kobra 240 HS at a glance

• P-6 under ISO/IEC 21964 (DIN 66399), full rating P-6 T-6 F-3
• Particle 0.8 x 9.5 mm, roughly 7.6 mm²
• 5-6 sheets at 80 g/m², 6-8 at 70 g/m²
• 3/4 HP motor for 24-hour continuous duty, thermally protected
• Takes paper, credit cards, smart cards and film

What a P-6 particle means for your documents

P-6 is the second-highest paper level in DIN 66399, capping particles at 10 mm² and at no more than 1 mm wide. The 240 HS stays inside both limits. In practice, that makes it appropriate for product designs, sensitive personnel matters, litigation material and documents an internal classification scheme marks as highly confidential. Kobra calls this cut a crypto cut. The T-6 and F-3 parts of the rating mean ID cards and film can go through the same head, so badges and microfiche need no separate machine.

The 240 HS throughput trade-off

Fine particles demand more cutting per sheet, so the head moves at 0.07 m/sec (about 4.2 m/min) and takes small bites. A ream means dozens of passes. The motor copes because it is rated to run around the clock with thermal protection, and Kobra drives the head through a chain with metal gears. Electronic eyes start the cutters when paper arrives and stop them once the throat clears, so the unit does not run between users. Energy Smart indicators show when it has dropped to standby.

Keep the paper clean of metal. The source does not claim this head tolerates staples or clips, and fine teeth are easy to damage, so remove them before shredding. Damp paper or a cold room also reduces capacity.

Emptying and placing the 240 HS

The bin lifts out without removing the head, and pulling it out cuts power to the knives. Kobra designs the 240 series to run without plastic bags; if your waste contractor wants bagged material, buy liners separately. At 42 lb (19 kg) one person can move it between rooms.

240 HS specifications

240 HS or another Kobra?

• KOBRA 240 HS-6: the same cabinet with a 0.8 x 5 mm P-7 cut and up to 5 sheets, for when P-6 is not enough.
• Kobra 260 HS: the same 0.8 x 9.5 mm P-6 particle with a 10.25 in throat and a 22-gallon bin, for higher volume.
• Kobra 240 C2 Turbo: drops to P-5 at 1.9 x 15 mm, but takes up to 19 sheets.

Who the 240 HS is for

Buy it when a contract or policy specifies P-6 and the daily volume is a few files rather than boxes. Skip it as a general office shredder, and skip it if you need to destroy CDs or DVDs, which it is not rated for.