TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS TEAM

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Factors that Impact X-ray Tube Life

X-ray tubes are like a light bulb. They are subject to the manufacturing quality process or batch
processing abnormalities, no two are ever exactly alike.

X-ray tubes are very inefficient devices. Since their invention (cathode ray tube) to the modern
era (cathode anode design) the physics of x-ray production is 98% heat and 2% effective x-ray.

X-ray tubes useful life is subject to environment, type use, other related x-ray generation
components, proper service and age.

Environment
1. Excessive heat or low humidity in scan room or environment
2. Low incoming power (sags), rapid high voltage (spikes)

User
1. Improper warm ups (Tubes need to warm prior to use, but not too warm)
2. Customer does not perform frequent warm ups prior to exams (Tube is too cold)
3. User settings requiring great demand of tube performance (radiation techniques)
4. Low, medium and high scan volumes or usage and rapid changes between the three
volume rates. High use, then low use. X-ray tubes like consistency

Other x-ray tube related component failures
1. X-ray generators, tube cooling system and high voltage cables can fail impacting the life
or directly damage an x-ray tube. Tube failures can also impact these other related
components. For example, a tube arc failure can damage a generator and vice versa.

Service or improper maintenance
1. In frequent tube calibrations or too many system calibrations during PMs
2. Not lubing heat voltage cables and tube connections
3. Poor inspection of other components that impact the tube
4. Improper installation


Age
The age of the x-ray tube is also a factor. Just in time manufacturing is critical to the
performance of an x-ray tube. Similar to light bulbs, if a new light bulb or tube sits on shelve for
a extended period of time greater than 6 to 12 months, micro gas elements can form inside and
when placed in use the gas buildup causes arcing or a short in the filament impacting or
shortening life.

The longer the x-ray tube is used, regardless of low, med or high volume use, gas build up does
occur over time and / or the mechanical sub components (bearings) inside the x-ray tube portion
begins to wear as well causing a tube to fail.