| A security Level 5 shredder meant for centralized | | | | quiet operation." That seems appropriate for a |
| office use, the Dahle 20630 EC is intended to give | | | | machine that is rated as espionage safe. |
| corporations and government agencies one of the | | | | 4. The feed opening (10-1/4") easily fits letter, legal, A4 |
| highest levels of document destruction on the market. | | | | and A5 sized sheets, and will be enough to |
| We took a look at its various features and compiled a | | | | accommodate the vast majority of shredding jobs. |
| list of some of this machine's strengths and | | | | 5. There are several user-friendly features on the |
| weaknesses. | | | | 20630 EC as well. The control panel is clear and easy |
| Strengths: | | | | to operate, with an automatic on/off function, as well |
| | | | as reverse and continuous run. There's also an auto |
| 1. The 20630 EC is a cross cut, Level 5 security | | | | reverse in case of a jam, and the machine turns itself |
| shredder. This means that it is rated for the destruction | | | | off if the bag is full and needs to be emptied. |
| of secret documents such as might be required in | | | | Weaknesses: |
| some government offices, or for documents that, if | | | | |
| they were to fall into the wrong hands, might threaten | | | | 1. With extra high security shredder like this, there tends |
| the existence of your business. It more than complies | | | | to be a bit of a tradeoff when it comes to capacity. |
| with all federal regulations concerning the destruction | | | | The 20630 EC can handle up to 9 sheets at a time, |
| of confidential client and employee information as well. | | | | which is good for a Level 5 machine, but if your aim is |
| Long story short, as far as security goes, this is all the | | | | simply to meet the guidelines of the FACTA federal |
| shredder you will ever need and then some. | | | | regulations, you can purchase one of Dahle's Level 3 |
| 2. If you or your employees regularly handle and | | | | machines (such as the 20614 EC) and get about 2.5 |
| dispose of documents that are highly confidential, you | | | | times the productivity. |
| will want to have a shredder like this in a place where | | | | 2. In another high-security tradeoff, the cutting heads |
| everyone on your office can easily use it. With its one | | | | on most of Dahle's other machines are guaranteed for |
| horsepower engine, this machine is cut out for fairly | | | | the life of the machine, but those on the 20630 EC |
| heavy use, and is designed to be placed near the | | | | carry only a one-year warranty. |
| copy and fax machines so that any sensitive | | | | 3. As with any other shredder on the market, you will |
| documents aren't left lying around, and it is meant to be | | | | have to make sure you oil the heads on the 20630 EC |
| used throughout the day. | | | | on a regular basis. Dahle does, however, have an auto |
| 3. A centrally located machine should get the job done | | | | oiling system that can be purchased and used with this |
| as quietly as possible to cut down on the distraction | | | | machine. If you don't purchase the auto oiling system |
| level. To that end, Dahle designed a noise damping | | | | you should probably be prepared to oil this machine (or |
| system that encases the cutting heads and places | | | | any high security level 5 machine) on a daily basis if it |
| them on rubber shock mounts to reduce vibration to | | | | is used regularly. |
| the cabinet. The result is what Dahle calls "whisper | | | | |