Which component is used in the high-voltage section to increase voltage to the level required for x-ray production?

Which component is used in the high-voltage section to increase voltage to the level required for x-ray production?

• A. Step-up transformer
• B. Autotransformer
• C. Step-down transformer
• D. Falling load generator

Answer: (A)

To produce x-rays, the tube must be fed with a high voltage to accelerate electrons toward the anode. That boost in voltage in the high-voltage section is provided by the step-up transformer. It has more turns in the secondary than in the primary, so it increases the incoming voltage to the kilovolt range while reducing current. After stepping up, the voltage is rectified to provide the pulsed DC used by the tube. The autotransformer helps set the selected kVp but is not the device that alone raises the voltage to the tube. A step-down transformer would lower voltage, which is not what the tube needs, and a falling load generator isn’t the component used to increase tube voltage.

To produce x-rays, the tube must be fed with a high voltage to accelerate electrons toward the anode. That boost in voltage in the high-voltage section is provided by the step-up transformer. It has more turns in the secondary than in the primary, so it increases the incoming voltage to the kilovolt range while reducing current. After stepping up, the voltage is rectified to provide the pulsed DC used by the tube. The autotransformer helps set the selected kVp but is not the device that alone raises the voltage to the tube. A step-down transformer would lower voltage, which is not what the tube needs, and a falling load generator isn’t the component used to increase tube voltage.