X-Ray machine components Flashcards
Electricity
power source of x-ray machines
With direct current (DC), electrons flow?
In one direction
With alternating current (AC) power, electrons flow?
in two directions
Circuit
route the electrical current takes
How many volts does a high voltage circuit use to provide high energy to produce x-rays?
65,000 to 100,000 volts
Transformer
mechanism used in an electrical circuit to increase or decrease the voltage
Can be a step-up, step-down, or autotransformer type
Step-down transformer decreases the voltage from the incoming 110 or 220 volts to ?
3-5 volts, needed in the cathode
Control panel
Located outside the radiation room
Displays on-off switches and milliamperage/time/kilovoltage settings
Ampere
number of electrons per second
An increase in amperage increases?
the number of electrons that “work”
How many mAs do dental machines operate with?
5-15 mA
Voltage
force that moves electrons
KiloVoltage peak (kVp)
peak voltage of an alternating current
How much kVp do dental radiographs require?
70-90 kVp
kVp determines ?
the speed at which the electrons are propelled from the cathode
the penetrating power of the x-ray beam, called quality
Tubehead
protective tightly-sealed metal covering (housing)
The tube head contains?
X-ray tube, where x-rays are produced
High/low-voltage transformer alters the voltage of incoming electrical current
Insulating oil helps dissipate the heat
Tubehead seal made of leaded glass or aluminum keeps the oil in the tubehead and acts as a filter for x-ray beams
X-ray tube
heart of the system
Lead glass vacuum housing
Around 6 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Air was removed to create a vacuum environment that allows the electrons to flow with minimal resistance
Contains two types of electrodes - the cathode and anode
Cathode (negative) electrode
supplies electrons that will generate x-rays
Controlled by milliAmperage (mA) settings
Tungsten filament
emits electrons when heated, an electron cloud forms around it