Exploring the universe with Detmolder technology Weidmüller terminal blocks from East Westphalia-Lippe ensure the supply for the world's largest particle accelerator at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

The terminal block of the W-series provides a secure connection that is resistant to rattling and vibrations between the transformer and the particle accelerator at CERN. (Copyright: Shutterstock / Paolo De Gasperis)

A dark, cold room of infinite expanse, presumably created 13.7 billion years ago by the Big Bang: the universe. For millennia, the distant stars and planets were unreachable for humans. Today, modern technology allows us to uncover many secrets of the universe. Institutions such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) near Geneva in Switzerland, the world's largest research facility in the field of particle physics, are working to detect unknown elementary particles in order to explain unresolved mysteries of the universe. A contribution to their research is made by the products and solutions of the Detmold-based electrical engineering specialist Weidmüller.

For research at CERN, protons or lead nuclei are accelerated in an eight-kilometer-long particle accelerator to nearly the speed of light and brought into collision. The supply for this is provided by nearly 800 transformers and chokes from the company Schmidbauer Transformers and Equipment GmbH. Many individual magnets are installed in the magnetic ring to accelerate the particles. The solutions from Schmidbauer create the conditions to precisely accelerate the particles along their path through the "CERN tube." "A shock- and vibration-proof connection between the transformer and the particle accelerator was extremely important to ensure a continuous energy supply for the measurements," explains Markus Denzin, Sales Manager for the South Region at Weidmüller. "Specifically, the W-series with the established pull-up connection is used here, which meets the high requirements."

By the end of 2018, the first devices at CERN went into operation and are now helping to perform even more precise measurements. Further devices are planned to be commissioned in 2019. "We are pleased to be part of this exciting project," Denzin continues. "This is a sign of our strong partnership with Schmidbauer and illustrates how important the technology behind the large machines and systems is. In this way, we also make a small contribution with our technology so that researchers can continue to discover the secrets of the universe."