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Components of x-ray equipment

X-rays used for x-ray examinations are produced by

the x-ray machine that consists of different
component.
Important components of an x-ray set are:
Main supply voltage
Control console and Autotransformer
Filament and high tension circuit
High tension source
Exposure timers and switches
x-ray tube

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 How do you generate an x-ray?

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 Cont…

 The integrated function of all components is to undertake

three fundamental processes essential for x-ray
productions
 There are three basic processes for x-ray production

Thermionic emission process

Acceleration process

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 How do you generate an x-ray?

 To generate x-rays, we must have three things.

 We need to have a source of electrons,
 a means of accelerating the electrons at high speeds,
and
 a target material to receive the impact of the electrons
and interact with them.

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 Cont…

• The cathode contains a small filament much the same as in

a light bulb.
• Current is passed through the filament which heats it. The
heat causes electrons to be stripped off.
• The high voltage causes these “free” electrons to be pulled
toward a target material (usually made of tungsten) located
in the anode.
• The electrons impact against the target. This impact causes
an energy exchange which causes x-rays to be created.

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 Cont…

The main supply is essential to

To heat the filament

To accelerate electrons

The main supply must be connected with the x-ray tube via

The filament circuit

The high tension circuit

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 Cont…
Autotransformer
major kV
selector to high voltage
Timer transformer
Circuit
primary

Line minor kV
selector
to filament
transformer
primary
mA
regulator
Line
Compensation Autotransformer does line compensation &
kVp selection

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 X-Ray Console and Primary Circuits

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 Cont…

Important circuits of any x-ray sets are

The filament circuit
High tension circuit

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 Filament circuit

Modifies the incoming line power to produce the

thermionic emission from the filament wire of the
x-ray tube
The incoming line must be modified to 3-5
amperes and 6-12 volts
Current control device regulates the amperage
supplied to the filament in the tube
Adjusted by RTs at the console
– To equivalent of mA ratings of 50,100,200,300,
400

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 Cont…

 Filament circuit supply is drawn directly from the

main circuit supply
 The current is then sent to a step down
transformer that modifies the amperage that will
be sent to the filament itself
 All of the radiographer-operated controls are on
the low voltage side of the circuit to prevent
operators from high voltage shock hazards

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 mA
Circuit
s

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 High tension circuit

 this circuit has two transformers

– A step up transformer
– An auto transformer
Accelerate electrons across the x-ray tube
Modifies incoming current to produce x-
rays
Boosts voltage to range necessary
produce x-rays.

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 kV
Circuit

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 Radiographic exposure factors

Exposure Factors influence and determine the

quantity and quality of the x-radiation to which
the patient is exposed.
Radiation quantity- refers to the radiation
intensity referred to as mR or mR/ mAs.
Radiation Quality- refers to the beam
penetrability and measured in HVL.

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 Cont…

The radiographic exposure factors are under

the control of technologists and consists of
Penetration power of the beam (KV)
Intensity of the beam (MA)
Exposure Time ( S)

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 Cont..

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 KV

kV determines the ability for the beam to

penetrate the tissue
Penetrating power of x-ray tube is varied by
changing the high voltage.
Raising kv makes the electrons travel fast and
the x-rays produced are more penetrating
Does kV increase a beam intensity?

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 Effects of KV

Controls radiographic contrast

has more effect than any other factor on image
receptor exposure. why?
Controls density
influences the beam quantity.
Controls the production of scatter radiation, fog
and contrast
Influences staff and patient dose
What are effects of higher and lower KVp?

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 Cont…

Major kV
Selects the kVp by factors of 10
Minor kV
Selects the kVp by factors of 1
A combination of major and minor kV gives
the appropriate kVp readout for an exposure

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 Kilovoltage peak

It refers to the highest kilovoltage reached

in each cycle of pulsating voltage
a measure of the electrical force or
presser behind a current
potential difference is force exerted on
electrons

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 Cont….

The peak value of a sine wave is the maximum

voltage (or current) it reaches.
Peak voltages occur at two different points in the
cycle.
One peak is positive, the other is negative.
The positive peak occurs at 90º and the negative
peak at 270º.
The positive and negative have equal amplitudes.

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 Cont….

When kvp increases image contrast

decreases
It is the prime factor in the control of
image contrast
If affects the occurrence of photoelectric
effect.
As it increases the PEE drops and more
scattered radiation will be produced

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 Cont…

The greatest number of photoelectric

interaction is achieved when kvp is low
and tissue atomic number is high.
It causes high Compton to photoelectric
ratio.

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 Over and under exposure by kV

When penetrating x-rays are increased,

Radiographic contrast will be lost
What is the problem if contrast is lost?

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 Too dark too light

Out of focus good image

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 Control of Density.

Without penetration, No x-ray image production

Without penetration, no densities on the film.
Penetration is a quality of x-ray beams &
controlled by kvp.
penetration is the opposite of attenuation
The higher kvp, the higher the penetration of the
beam
X-ray energies are inversely related to their ware
length

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 Use of Higher voltage

Anatomical details in all tissue thickness are

rendered as translucent densities.
Greater image sharpness may be obtained
because shorter exposures may be employed
with smaller focal spot.
The radiation does to pts is reduced as kv
increases
It causes x-ray tubes to last longer
It increases efficiency of the tube.

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 Select kVp based on:

Type of exam (ex. Chest vs. ribs)

Desired level of penetration
Desired film contrast
Minimizing patient dose

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 Patient’s Body Habitus (size)

Influences technique & density on image

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 Milliamperage ( MA)

It is a current passing through x-ray filament circuit

1 Ampere = 1 C/s = 6.3 x 1018 electrons/sec.
The mA selected for the exposure determines the
number of x-rays produced.
A change in mA does not affect kinetic energy of the
electrons therefore only the quantity is changed.
The numbers of x-rays are directly proportional to
the mA

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 Effects of Milliamperage

Higher milliamperage heats the filament

Higher Temperature of the filament boiled off
more electrons
The no of x-rays produced are directly
proportional to the no of e’s
The higher the milliamperage, the more
intense is the electron beam.

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 Cont…

When RT increase MA, the electrons flow from

cathode to anode increases.
The Intensity of x-ray beam is directly proportional to
the milliamperage set
Patient dose is also directly proportional to the mA
with a fixed exposure time
More expensive three phase machines will have a
higher maximum mA.

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 Cont…

X-ray tube current is controlled through a

separate circuit called the filament circuit

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 Exposure Time (S)

It is the amount of time over which the beam is

on and the exposure is occurring
Long exposure time allows more electrons to
flow towards the anode and more x-rays are
produced
Duration of exposure can vary from machine to
machine
Duration of exposure can vary from generator to
generator

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 Effects of Exposure Time (S)

Affects patient dose

Affects image sharpness
Affects life expectancy of the tube

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 Milliampere seconds (MAS)

MAs are one way to measure electrostatic

charge.
It determines the total number of electrons.
Only the quantity of the photons is affected by
changes in the mAs
Patient dose is therefore a function of mAs
indicate the total intensity of the entire
exposure.

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 Cont….

MAs controls radiation:

– quantity
– optical density
– patient dose

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 kV

mA

- e
- +

X-rays

Filament
45
(heats up on prep.) Target
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 Reciprocity law

Any combination of mA and time that will give

the same mAs should provide the same optical
density on the film. This relationship is referred
to as the reciprocity law
The reaction of a photographic emulsion to light
is equal to the product of the intensity of the
light and the duration of exposure. This is known
as reciprocity law.

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 Relation between mA and time.

Rule1:
The MA required for a given radiographic density
is inversely proportional to the length of
exposure when the remaining factors are
constant.

Original MA = New time

New MA original time

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 Cont…

E.g.
Assume that 10 MA and an exposure time of 0.5
sec was employed in making a radiograph. It is
desired to decrease the exposure time to
0.05sec. What milliamperage would need to
assure a comparable radiographic density?

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 Cont….

NB
 MA and time are inversely proportional to each
other
 milliamperage and exposure time have no direct
effect upon
– image sharpness,
– Magnification
– distortion

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 Console

 The Console is the part of the machine that

the operator controls the operation of the x-
ray machine.
 All machine console are a little different but
there are always similarities. The console is
where we control x-ray tube current and
voltage.

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 The Console Controls

 The console will have controls for:

– mA and time or mAs
– kVp
– Focal Spot
– Line Voltage Compensation
– Automatic Exposure Control

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 Line Voltage Compensation

 Older machine have a meter to monitor the

line voltage attached to the autotransformer.
 The operator can adjust the taps on the
transformer to account for low or high
incoming voltage.

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 Cont…

 More modern units automatically adjusts for

the incoming power so a meter is not
provided.
 Often over looked by the operator.
 Results in improper exposure.

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Line voltage compensator
Autotransformer
major kV
selector to high voltage
Timer transformer
Circuit
primary

Line minor kV
selector
to filament
transformer
primary
mA
regulator
Line
Compensation Autotransformer does line compensation &
kVp selection

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 Line Voltage Compensation
Cont….
• Compensation may be
– automatic
• most new & high end equipment
– manual
• user must make adjustment

Line

Line
Compensation

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 Autotransformer

 An autotransformer is actually the kVp selector and

is located in the control panel.
 The autotransformer is designed to supply voltage of
varying magnitude to several different circuits of the
x-ray machine including both the filament circuit and
high voltage circuits.
 It is a type of transformer which has one winding only
 The Autotransformer with its single winding works on
the principle of self-induction

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 Cont…

 Transform voltage from one value to another

voltage valve.
 be used very successfully to step voltages
both up and down from main supply.

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 Cont….

 In Comparison with two winding

transformers, auto transformers are
– Smaller in size
– Economical of copper wire
– Cost less.

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 Voltage Control
 The kV control on a x-ray system is similar to the ma
control in that it includes some type of metered
display (kilovolt meter) and a rheostat in the circuit.
 The voltage being supplied to the anode is referred
to as the tube voltage, and is primarily measured in
kilovolts. Variations in the tube voltage affects the
energy of the radiation; penetrating power varies with
the voltage.
 KVP selectors can be placed in the circuit b/n the
autotransformer and step-up transformer.

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 Cont…

 Increasing the tube voltage increases the

speed of the electrons interacting with the
target.
 energy of radiation is a function of the
wavelength. Increasing the energy results in
a shorter wavelength x-ray photon with
greater penetrating power.

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  On control console of the x-ray set, there
must be indication of the kv valves which
are being used
 Q How does RT know what kV is applied to
the x-ray tube?
– Each settings of the selector are marked with
kilovoltage valve.
– Pre-reading kilovolt meter.

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  It is a voltmeter which indicates the
kilovoltage obtainable form the different
kilovoltage selector.
 It indicates the kilovoltage before it is
reduced by the kilovoltage drop.

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 Current Control
 The ma control on an x-ray system commonly
includes some type of a panel meter or digital display
(millimeter) which is a rheostat connected to the
circuit that allows adjustment in tube current.
 Adjusting the current being applied to the filament
results in variations in the radiation intensity.
 When the tube current is varied, the number of
electrons being supplied to the anode (target) varies.

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  RT can control the x-ray tube current w/c is
used for the exposure.
 X-ray equipment does provide indication of
the tube current during the exposure this is
done by means of a meter called
milliampere meter.

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  It records the current passing through the x-
ray tube.
 It measures the current following towards
the x-ray tube.

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 Cont…
mA selection
•Allows selection from available
discrete mA stations.
•Applies correct voltage to primary of
filament transformer.

Line
to filament
10 mA transformer
25 mA
50 mA mA primary
100 mA
200 mA stabilizer
300 mA
400 mA

Line
Compensation

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  The milliampere is a moving coil. This
instrument is accurate easy to read b/c it has
a liner scale.
 It cannot read alternating current and it must
be energized by current which passes
through it in one direction only.
 It reads a value which is to average of the
valve in the cycle.
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  It is a metre and records milliampere
seconds and not milliamperage. It indicates
the products of the current flowing and the
time for which it follows.
 The current is altered by altering the no of
electrons which are emitted from its heated
filament.

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  The milliamperes indications tell the RT that:
 The x-ray tube has passed current
 The exposure has taken place
 The x-ray set is operating properly.

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 Cont…

 The following indications on a milliampere or

milliampere seconds meter gives clues to a
knowledgeable RT about faults in x-ray tube.
 No reading on the metre ’ No current has
passed through tube.
 Intermittent failures in the tube current so
that it comes and goes.

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 Cont…

 High tube current above to expected one causes

noise.
 When MA has very high value, the mater needle
flies hard a cross to scale and bend against the
slop at the end.
 Low reading suggests that there is a faulty
filament boost for the x-ray tube so that it’s
temperature is less to produce x-ray

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 Location of selectors

 The meters themselves are located on the

control panel, but their connections are in the
high-voltage circuit.
 KVP selectors can be placed in the circuit b/n
the autotransformer and step-up transformer.
 The connection for the MA meter must be in
the secondary coil of high voltage
transformer to record current flow accurately.

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 Cont…

 The switch that opens and closes the

high voltage circuit is located between
the autotransformer and high voltage
transformer.
 The switch begins and terminates the
x-ray exposure

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 Distance
 Affects the exposure of the image receptor
according to the inverse square law.
 The ISL states that the intensity of the radiation from
a point source varies inversely as the square of the
distance from the source, providing there is no
absorption or scattering by the medium.
 Affects the intensity of the x-ray beam at the film

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 Effects of FFD

 The influence of FFD on the radiographic

image reveals three important properties on:
radiographic image
the size of the image
The sharpness of the image

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 Effects of FFD on sharpness of image.

 When FFD increases, penumbra at the edge

decreases & sharpness increases
 Penumbra causes image unsharpness
 What do we mean by umbra and penumbra?
 greater FFD requires more MAS.
 Which exposure factor should be used to
compensate reduction of intensity due to greater
FFD? MA or S? S

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 Effects of FFD on the size of the image

Effects of Magnification
 Longer FFD reduces the size of both umbra and
penumbra by minimizing the magnifications of an
image.
 shorter FFD increases the size of both umbra and
penumbra by increasing the magnifications of an
image.
 What do we mean by umbra and penumbra?

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 Effects of FFD on Density

 FFD influences intensity

 Intensity directly influences radiographic density.
 the relationship between distance & density
follows the “inverse square law”

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 Cont…

Original density = ( New FFD) 2

New density (Original FFD) 2

or

Original MAS =(New FFD) 2

New MAS (Original FFD) 2

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 Rule 1

 The exposure time required for radiographic density

is directly proportional to the square of FFD

Original time = (Original FFD) 2

New time (New FFD) 2

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 Cont…

 Eg. Assume that an exposure time is 10

sec and FFD of 30 inches have been used
and it is desired to decrease the FFD to 24
inches. What exposure time would be
required?

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 Rule 2

 The MA required for a radiographic density is

directly proportional to the square of FFD.
E.g. Assume that 50 MA and an FFD of 36 inches
have been used & it is desired to increase the
FFD to 72 inches. What milliamperage would be
required?

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 Rule 3

 The MAS required to produce radiographic

density is proportional to the square of the FFD

Original MAS = (Original FFD)2

New MAS (New FFD)2

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 Object Film Distance

 It is crucial factors in controlling radiographic

image quality.
 When the object is placed on radiographic film,
all the image qualities are optimized.
 The greater the OFD, the greater the penumbra
and therefore the greater the unsharpness.

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 Effects of FOD on Magnification

 When FOD is shorter, the enlargement is minimal

 Greater FOD reduce image density. Why?

M= FFD
FFD-FOD

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 Penumbra and Object-Image Distance

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 Basic terms

Density: The degree of blackness or whiteness of the

film.
Contrast: the ratio of differences between two
adjacent densities on the film
Grayscale : opposite of contrast
Noise :any unwanted, useless information recorded on
the film which obscures the visibility of the desired
image
 It includes & Artifact

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 Cont…

 Fog A form of noise caused to randomly

scattered radiation which carries no useful
signal or image.
 Blur. The lack of sharpness or the presence
of penumbra in an image.
 Umbra :Complete shadow of an object
 Penumbra :partial shadow of an object

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 Fog or Noise

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 ANY QUESTIONS?

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