April Murray

RTE 141
Notebook #9
SINGLE PHASE GENERATOR(6 pulse and 12 pulse)
Produces a pulsating current, which alternates from positive to negative
during each electric cycle, resulting in a pulsating x-ray beam. This heat unit
formula is written as:
HU= kVp x mA x Seconds
THREE PHASE GENERATORThe type of power that is usually used for X-Ray machines is called threephase power. In three-phase power three wires with power come into a transformer,
with maybe a fourth for a ground, then put together for use in the x-ray machine.
The heat unit formula is written as:
HU= 1.4 x kVp x mA x Seconds
HIGH FREQUENCY GENERATORProduce a near-constant voltage waveform which results in even less
exposure time and lower patient dose compared to the three phase. The heat unit
formula for this is written as:
HU= 1.45 x kVp x mA x Seconds

THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES OF EACH OF THE ABOVE HEAT UNIT

FORMULA EQUATIONS:
How many heat units are generated when you use 65kVp, 500mA and 0.05 seconds
with a single phase generator?
HU= kVp x mA x Seconds
65kVp x 500mA x 0.05 seconds= 1,625 HU
How many heat units are generated when you use 90kVp, 500mA, and 0.08 seconds
with a three phase generator?
HU= 1.4 x kVp x mA x Seconds
1.4 x 90kVp x 500mA x 0.08 seconds= 5,040 HU
How many heat units are generated when you use 100kVp, 700mA, and 0.25
seconds with a three phase generator?
HU= 1.45 x kVp x mA x Seconds

April Murray
RTE 141
Notebook #9
1.45 x 100kVp x 700mA x 0.25seconds= 25, 375 HU
REFERNCE PAGE
http://whs.wsd.wednet.edu/faculty/busse/mathhomepage/busseclasses/radiationphy
sics/lecturenotes/chapter5/chapter5.html