NOTEBOOK # 6

Main Circuit

This circuit consists if the primary and the secondary circuit. The
primary circuit is the control panel, which is built up of:
-The main switch: generates the power
-The exposure switch: a switch that permits current to flow through the
circuit
-The timer: device used to end the exposure when enough time has
passed, usually is a set time.
The Secondary circuit: is high voltage and consists of transformers,
rectification, and the x-ray tube.
The main circuits focus is supply power, modify current to produce xrays, control voltage, allow adjustments to the technique, produce xray efficacy. There are 3 types of transformers:
-Auto transformer: contains an iron core and a single winding, used as
a small increase in voltage
-Step- up transformer: increases the voltage from the primary to the
secondary coil and decreases current. Secondary has more turns in
the coil than the primary.
-Step-down transformer: this decreases the voltage and increases the
current, the primary has more turns in the coil than the secondary.
There are 2 types of rectifiers:
-Half wave: pass half the AC through one or more diodes
-Full wave: Generally, use four diodes to function into a direct current.
Starts with AC ends with pulsating DC.

Filament Circuit

This circuit varies the current sent to the filament in order to provide
the required mA value. After the selection of the mA its sent down to
the step- down transformer to modify the amps.

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NOTEBOOK # 6

Explanations of each part of the circuit

1. The main Breaker- This is where the alternating current is
from, often pare this with line compensation. This measures
the voltage and is connected to the autotransformer.
2. Exposure switch- This closes the circuit to start an exposure.
3. Auto transformer- This is where you adjust your kVp for the
exposure. The first stop for power to come into the imaging
system. Made up of the primary and secondary coils. A
process of self-induction occurs between these 2 coils, the
primary is supplied with the initial AC current and induces
the secondary. The secondary has more loops around the
core which will intensify to voltage. Leaving it as a step up
transformer.
4. Timer Circuit- this will stop the exposure.
5. High voltage step-up transformer- this will increase the
voltage, so that the x-ray tube can create potential
difference between the anode and cathode.
6. Four diode rectification circuit- using 2 rectifiers at a time it
keeps the current flowing in one direction.
7. Filament circuit variable resistor- adjust the current going
into the filament (mA)
8. Filament step-down transformer (Rheostat)- lowers the
voltage, which will increase the current to build up electrons.
9. X-ray tube- this is where the x-rays are created.
10.
Rotor/ stator- this rotates the anode of the x-ray tube.
11.
Meter- measures the amount of kVp or mA going
through the current.

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