The LHC to Shut Down... Again?

This is a unique research instrument that is only based on previous configurations. This is a new machine. So when they succeed at producing collisions at energy level A, they break out the champagne because first light or in this case first collisions have occurred. They may then ramp up the energies to level B, C or D in a preliminary shakedown cruise but they don't try to slam it to the peak design goals immediately. How often have we all found that the simple theory model is not how a new machine precisely works because the theoretical model assumed some simplifications that normally can be ignored. These guys are by design going to push the envelope. Finding out what and how things got strained at lower energy levels is just the prudent thing to do.