DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Practice Exam

Which of the following circuits is NOT part of the electrical circuitry in an x-ray machine?

1. Filament circuit (low voltage)

2. Cathode-anode (high voltage)

3. Tuning circuit

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: None of the above

The correct choice is based on the understanding that the functioning of an x-ray machine involves several key electrical circuits. In an x-ray machine, the filament circuit, which operates at low voltage, is responsible for heating the filament in the cathode. This heating allows the emission of electrons, which are crucial for x-ray production. The cathode-anode circuit operates at high voltage, which is necessary for accelerating the emitted electrons from the cathode towards the anode, where the x-ray photons are generated upon their interaction with the target material. The tuning circuit, although less commonly discussed, is used in some x-ray machines to ensure that the input frequency matches the optimal conditions for operation. However, not all x-ray machines will contain a dedicated tuning circuit, making it potentially misleading in a general sense. "None of the above" indicates that all listed options are indeed part of the electrical circuitry in x-ray machines, affirming that both the filament circuit and the cathode-anode circuit are integral to the operation of these devices. Thus, this answer reflects the comprehensive understanding of the x-ray machine's circuitry.