Running head: X-RAY CIRCUIT 1

The X-Ray Circuit and Tube

mAs Pro Shots

Midwestern State University

Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology Program

RADS 3513 101

October 25, 2017

X-RAY CIRCUIT 2

The x-ray circuit is composed of complex functions and processes to produce an image.

Once the main switch is on, incoming voltage and amperage passes through the autotransformer.

In this step the autotransformer will step up the voltage to kilovolts and step-down the current

from amperes to milliamperes. In case the voltage or amperage is too great, circuit breakers are

in place to stop the flow of electrons.

At the control panel, milliamperage or mA is selected with a timer, so that the exposure

ends after a specified time. Once the initial technical factors are set, (kV, mA, and time), the

exposure button is depressed half way. This starts the rotor to spin until reaching 3400 rpm. The

incoming amperage of 3-5 amps has gone through the rheostat of the autotransformer and is

dropped to thousandths of an amp and heat the filament. Electrons start boiling off, creating an

electron cloud. This process is known as thermionic emission. While the circuit is still open, the

electrons boiled off gather in a focusing cup, creating a space charge. This results in a large

potential difference between the focusing cup and the target. When the rotor reaches maximum

speed and the required electrons have boiled off the filament, the circuit is closed by pressing the

control button the rest of the way down.

The circuit is ready to take an x-ray, as soon has the rotor is at max speed and the

filament has heated off enough electrons. This step requires the button to be pushed down

completely. Once this happens, it will cause the timer circuit to close and alternating current

(AC) is rectified, and becomes direct current (DC). In some generators, the AC is stepped up to

100,000 times. When it is stepped up it will transform into the wave high frequency full wave

rectification. At this moment the cathode becomes negative and the anode is positive. With them

being negative and positive will cause electrons, causing electrons to travel from the cathode to

the anode. Electrons will interact with the tungsten which will generate an x-ray out of the port
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of the tube. The timer ends the process and no more x-rays are generated. The circuit is opened

by the release of the control button, and the cooling down of the tube begins. Once cool enough,

the process and begin again.

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References

Johnston, J. N., & Fauber, T. L. (2016). Essentials of radiographic physics and imaging (2nd

ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.