SESMAE Synchrotron Electrical Infrastructure

Powering SESAME: Precision Electrical Engineering for the Middle East’s Premier Particle Accelerator

In the hills of Allan, Jordan, 35 kilometres northwest of Amman, sits one of the most advanced scientific instruments in the world: SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East).

As the region’s first and only synchrotron light source, SESAME is a high-energy particle accelerator that produces intense beams of light. Researchers use these beams for everything from drug development and materials science to archaeology and environmental analysis. Modelled after CERN, SESAME is a landmark of international scientific cooperation. When this world-class facility required reliable, precision-engineered electrical infrastructure, TECO GROUP was selected to deliver.

The Challenge: Ultra-Stable Power for High-Speed Electrons

A synchrotron is not an ordinary facility. Its storage ring — a circular vacuum chamber where electrons travel at near-light speed — requires an extraordinarily stable electrical supply. Even minor power fluctuations can disrupt the electron beam, rendering experiments useless and risking damage to sensitive equipment worth millions of dollars.

The critical electrical requirements for SESAME included:

  • Extreme reliability — the accelerator operates continuously; unplanned shutdowns waste invaluable research time for international scientists.
  • Superior power quality — voltage stability and harmonic control that far exceed typical industrial standards.
  • Precision distribution — powering multiple beamline stations, each with unique requirements, from a centralised main distribution board system.
  • Scalability — infrastructure designed to accommodate future expansion of additional beamlines.

TECO GROUP’s Contribution: Custom Electrical Distribution Panels

TECO GROUP designed and manufactured the electrical distribution panels for SESAME’s most critical systems at our production facility in Amman, ensuring seamless operation for the following:

XAFS Beamline Power Panel

The X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) beamline requires precise voltage regulation and clean power to protect sensitive detection equipment. TECO GROUP engineered these panels to meet stringent electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements, preventing interference with delicate measurements — a level of power quality far beyond standard LV switchgear specifications.

Storage Ring Electrical Distribution

The storage ring’s magnets, vacuum systems, and RF cavities draw power through distribution panels that must remain consistent and interference-free. Our panels were built to handle the full operating load with significant margin for future expansion — applying the same bus coupler and sectionalised busbar design principles we use in our most critical hospital and wastewater treatment plant installations.

Engineering Standards and Quality Control

Every panel delivered to the SESAME project was designed and tested in our ISO 9001 certified facility to the highest international benchmarks:

  • IEC 61439 — the international standard for low-voltage switchgear assemblies, the same standard governing all our MDB, MCC, and SMDB panels.
  • IEC 60947 — standards for individual switching and protection devices.
  • Specialised EMC testing — ensuring the panels did not introduce electrical noise into the accelerator’s instrumentation.

Routine factory testing included insulation resistance measurement, wiring continuity verification, high voltage testing, and power quality verification under simulated load conditions — the same rigorous Routine Factory Test (RFT) process applied to every panel we manufacture.

Why This Project Matters

SESAME proves that Jordan possesses the engineering infrastructure and skilled workforce to support world-class scientific installations. TECO GROUP’s involvement reflects a core philosophy: if we can engineer electrical systems for a particle accelerator, we can engineer them for any industrial or commercial application.

We apply the same design methodology, component selection, and ISO 9001 certified manufacturing protocols to every MCC, MDB, ATS, and APFC panel that leaves our factory in Marka.

TECO GROUP’s Diverse Project Portfolio

SESAME is one of hundreds of successful projects TECO GROUP has delivered across various sectors in Jordan and beyond:

Healthcare and Research

  • King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) — type tested MDB and MCC for Jordan’s premier cancer treatment facility.
  • Al-Kindi Hospital — specialised clinical electrical systems.
  • JUST (Jordan University of Science and Technology) — Nano Technology and Veterinary facilities.
  • View all hospital projects →

Industrial and Infrastructure

Banking and Government

  • Jordan Islamic Bank — branch fit-outs (Mecca Mall, Abdali Mall).
  • Jordanian Armed Forces — Royal Guard and Air Defense installations.
  • Ministry of Finance Complex — government infrastructure power.
  • View all commercial projects →

The TECO Approach

From school distribution boards to synchrotron panels, our process remains rigorous:

  • Design — engineered to IEC 61439 standards using Eplan P8 CAE and AutoCAD in our design office.
  • Sourcing — genuine Siemens controllers and components from certified international manufacturers.
  • Manufacturing — assembled in our ISO 9001 certified Amman facility with 100% quality inspection.
  • Testing — comprehensive factory testing including high voltage, insulation, primary injection, and functional verification.
  • Commissioning — on-site installation support, thermal imaging verification, and operator training.
  • Maintenance — ongoing O&M support throughout the installation lifecycle.

Partner With TECO GROUP

Whether you are developing a hospital, factory, hotel, or research facility, TECO GROUP provides the engineering rigor your project demands.

View our complete reference list, explore our full product range, or contact our engineering team for a consultation →

Post Views: 9