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Notebook 7

Automatic exposure control (AEC) eliminates the need for radiographers to manually set exposure time. The AEC system uses ionization chambers and photocells to determine the optimal exposure settings like kVp and mA based on the body part being imaged. Positioning the body part directly over the ionization chamber is important for accurate exposure control. Depending on the body part, one, two, or all three ionization chambers may be activated, and the voltages are averaged to terminate the exposure when sufficient radiation is received. Density controls allow fine or large adjustments to exposure levels using common labels like 0 and N.

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Notebook 7

Automatic exposure control (AEC) eliminates the need for radiographers to manually set exposure time. The AEC system uses ionization chambers and photocells to determine the optimal exposure settings like kVp and mA based on the body part being imaged. Positioning the body part directly over the ionization chamber is important for accurate exposure control. Depending on the body part, one, two, or all three ionization chambers may be activated, and the voltages are averaged to terminate the exposure when sufficient radiation is received. Density controls allow fine or large adjustments to exposure levels using common labels like 0 and N.

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Notebook 7

Automatic exposure control (AEC)


*elimination of for the need of exposure time to be set by radiographer
-RT determines all other factors: kVp, mA, and which photocells to use
-Positioning of the patient is important: position the body part being x-rayed should be the part directly
over the ionization chamber
Controlling Configurations

-ionization chambers are the small squares in the


image to the left
-depending on the body part being imaged, one, two,
or all three cells will be used
-Averaging: term used when three or more cells are
activated
-used to sum the voltages received from each
cell and divides by number of cells that were
activated

-when an adequate amount of voltage for specified exam is reached, the exposure is terminated by
operational amplifier
-the cell receiving the most radiation will be the cell to terminate the exposure
-this could result in overexposure
Density Controls
-regulation of density control: common labels are 0 and N 0(range from -3 to 3) and N(range from
to 1 1/2 )
OR
-minor control: fine adjustments
-major control: large exposure changes

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Terms to know
Minimum response time: length of time it takes for the AEC to respond to ionization to send signal for
termination of exposure
-minimum response time = 0.001sec
Backup time: establishes maximum exposure time to prevent overexposure
-set at 150% of manual exposure time
-if backup time is too short, it will terminate the exposure before the AEC signal =
underexposure

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References
1. Carlton, R. R., Adler, A. M., & Frank, E. D. (2006). Principles of radiographic imaging: An art and a
science. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.

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