Notebook #9

X-Ray Tube Heat Units

For single phase generator:

Heat Units (HU) = peak voltage (kVp) x current (mA) x time (s)

For three phase or high frequency generator:

Heat Units (HU) = peak voltage (kVp) x current (mA) x time (s) x rectification constant (1.4)

Scenarios:
1. A chest exam requires an exposure of 120 kVp and 2.8 mAs using a three phase generator. How
many heat units are produced? What if the peak voltage is decreased to 100 kVp?
a. HU = (120 kVp) x (2.8 mAs) x (1.4) = 470 HU
b. HU = (100 kVp) x (2.8 mAs) x (1.4) = 392 HU
2. A hand exam requires an exposure of 66 kVp and 0.71 mAs using a high frequency generator.
How many heat units are produced? What if the current is increased to 0.95 mAs?
a. HU = (66 kVp) x (0.71 mAs) x (1.4) = 66 HU
b. HU = (66 kVp) x (0.95 mAs) x (1.4) = 88 HU
3. How many heat units are produced from an exposure of 120 kVp, 100 mA, and 0.15 second
using a single phase generator? What if the same exam uses a three phase generator instead?
a. HU = (120 kVp) x (100 mA) x (0.15 s) = 1,800 HU
b. HU = (120 kVp) x (100 mA) x (0.15 s) x (1.4) = 2,520 HU