Automatic oiler: Some larger commercial machines are fitted with an auto-oiler feature which automatically oils the shredder to maintain performance and lengthen the product life

Automatic Start/Stop or Automatic On/Off: This feature uses a sensor that can detect when paper has been inserted and automatically starts the shredder, it then automatically stops after the paper has been shredded.

Automatic Reverse: This allows the machine to reverse the engine and "eject" the paper if to much has been fed in.

Bin: This is the container where the shredded paper ends up. Sometimes bags are used and sometimes it goes directly into the container. Bin capacity is typically measured in litres. The higher the capacity the less often it needs to be emptied.

Bin/Bag Full Indicator: This alerts you when the bin or bag is full and needs to be emptied.

Cardboard shredder: A device designed to shred cardboard. Most paper shredders can only shred thin card, but not cardboard.

Casters: Wheels fitted to the bottom, making it easier to move large shredders around.

Continuous-duty motor: These motors are typically found in heavy duty shredders and are capable of running non-stop.

Cross-cut: The paper is shredded in two directions to make smaller pieces, which are much harder to put back together, providing a higher level of security. Typically these shredders are more expensive and can take less paper at a time than the less secure strip cut shredders. See also "Shred Size".

Confetti-cut: Used interchangeably with Cross-cut and Particle Cut by different manufacturers.

Continuous Duty: Most shredders need to be able to cool down periodically, but some heavy duty paper shredders can just keep going continuously.

DIN Security Levels: DIN is the European classification for shredder security levels, and range from DIN 1 to DIN 5, though typically you won't see any DIN1 machines.

DIN2: For internal documents that need to be rendered illegible such as computer lists or bad copies - Usually strip cut
DIN3: For confidential documents such as personal data and documents - usually cross-cut (3.9x30mm), but also strip cut (<1.9mm wide)
DIN4: When the confidentiality of documents is of existence importance for the company - cross cut only (1.9x15mm)
DIN5: For secret documents where extraordinary security requirements must be adhered to, such as government offices or fundamental research - cross cut only (0.78x11mm)

Duty Cycle: How long the machine can run for before needing to cool down.

100% Jam Proof System: Fellowes new system for preventing annoying paper jams caused by misfeeds and overloading.

Lift-off head: This is typically where the shredding component sits on top of the bin, and can simply be lifted off so the bin can be emptied.

Multimedia shredder: Some shredders are capable of shredding additional items as well as paper - often through a separate feed slot. This can include floppy disks, DVD's and CD's

Ribbon-cut: Another term for strip-cut

SafeSense Technology: The machine senses when you hand is getting too close to the throat and shuts down to prevent injury.

Sheet Capacity: The number of sheets of paper that can be fed into the machine at any one time.

Shredder oil: Shredders that are used frequently can benefit from oiling. This can be done using an "automatic oiler", by using special oiled sheets, or by placing oil onto a sheet of paper and shredding it. It can also be available in a spray form. See you user manual for the correct way to oil your specific machine.

Shred Size: This is the size of the strips or particles produced by the shredder. Strips are measured by width, while particles are measured by width and length. The smaller the better.

Strip-cut: The paper is cut into long strips of paper. These should not be used for confidential information as they can be put back together again with selotape and patience. But they are generally cheaper and faster than a cross cut shredder

Thermal Protection: To protect the motor from overheating many shredders shut down if it starts to overheat (through prolonged use). It will not start again until it has cooled down sufficiently.

Throat: The hole where the paper is inserted to be shredded

Throat Width: The width of the throat - various machines have different widths. Some are wide enough for A4, some wider ones for A3 and computer paper, and some desktop shredders have narrow throats only suitable for envelopes and junk mail.

Waste bin: See "Bin"