Halogen-free cables for UK’s national synchrotron facility

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. By accelerating electrons to near light speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infrared to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research.

Opened in 2007, Diamond is being developed in three phases. Phase I investment of £263 million included Diamond’s buildings and the first seven experimental stations known as ‘beamlines’. The loss of energy in the form of light is channelled into beamlines, which are specifically set up for various techniques or research purposes in areas including chemistry, material science, engineering and life science among others.

The Phase II funding of £120 million enabled the construction of 15 more beamlines between 2007 and 2012. Eighteen beamlines are now operational, with four more under construction, according to Diamond Light Source. In October 2010, the government confirmed further funding for Phase III expansion, creating an additional 10 advanced beamlines between 2011 and 2017, which will bring the total to 32.

The beamlines at the Diamond synchrotron have been and continue to be constructed using Lapp’s halogen-free range of control and data cables. A facility as technical and as complex requires quality cabling with the utmost in safety factored in.

All halogen-free cables manufactured by the Lapp Group are in accordance with the IEC standards. The toxicity of smoke is of the highest concern within enclosed spaces where means of escape are limited.

Smoke damage to electronic equipment can be significantly more extensive than the fire itself, which is why it is of the utmost importance to use halogen-free products around areas where electronics are present. At Diamond Light Source, cables such as Lapp’s Unitronic LiHCH(TP), H05Z-K 90°C and Olflex 135CH are being used to ensure the highest quality in build while maintaining the highest levels of safety.