 | Term | Definition |
| |
X-Ray circuit |
Divided into three sections or subcircuits: low voltage circuit, high voltage circuit and the filament circuit |
| |
Rectification |
The process of causing alternating current flow in one direction only |
| |
kVp meter |
Device between the autotransformer and the high voltage transformer that measures the potential difference across this portion of the circuit |
| |
Phototimer |
A type of automatic exposure control (AEC) that terminates the exposure after a specific quantity of light has been detected |
| |
Ionization chamber |
A type of automatic exposure control (AEC) that terminates the exposure after a specific quantity of current has been measured |
| |
Electronic timer |
Capable of shorter exposure times (1 ms or less) |
| |
Filament circuit |
Supplies and controls the heat required by the X-ray tube filament for thermionic emission of electrons |
| |
Line voltage compensator |
Adjusts the controls for fluctuation in the electrical supply |
| |
Rheostat |
Varies the milliamperage in an X-ray generator |
| |
Automatic exposure control (AEC) |
Terminates the exposure time after an exact amount of exposure for a given body part has been achieved |
| |
Tube rating chart |
Determines the maximum tube capacity for a single exposure |
| |
Synchronous timer |
Controlled by a small electric motor rotating at 60 revolutions per second |
| |
Single-phase generator |
Produce a pulsating current that alternates from positive to negative during each electric cycle |
| |
Three-phase current generator |
Generates X-rays more efficiently while exposure times are decreased 40% to 50% |
| |
High-frequency generator |
Units which employ special "inverter circuits" that convert rectified AC into a series of square pulses |
