Re: X-Ray Machine Transformer

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: X-Ray Machine Transformer
From: "Phillip D. Rembold" <prembold-at-gte-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Sat, 01 May 1999 15:00:57 -0600
Approved: twf-at-verinet-dot-com

> Does anyone here have any experience with medical x-ray equipment?

Yes, a few years of biomedtech work.

> The transformer is, about 350 pounds, rated at 220 primary, 125 kV sec.

It's probably a three phase unit, you might not be able to power it.

> Is there anyway to modify the transformer to put out less voltage?

Yes, several ways. Having the supply voltage go through a variac before it gets
to the transformer is probably the easiest, and your in luck, this is how they
adjust the power level of the X-ray exposure so if you get the hole unit you
should have a nice three phase variac as part of the deal.

> I suppose it has a nice fullwave bridge to get the DC output for the Tube.

You should find 6 nice High Voltage diodes inside the transformer,(two for each
phase) these units should always be in oil when used.

> Would it have any potential for T-coil service?

Yes you should also find a few capacitors in the transformer, they are hooked
up to filter any ripples out of the DC but usually have a value of about .01
Mfd and work OK as T-coil caps. You will also find a small transformer inside
the bigger unit that is used to supply the filament voltage to the tube in the
X-ray head, this can be used as a RF blocking choke.

> Potentially valuable parts? Should I just let them junk it?

The High Voltage cable going from the supply transformer to the X-ray head is
one of the safest ways to move High Voltage around, it's a coaxial cable with a
grounded shield.