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GE Healthcare

Technical
Publications

Direction 46-013804
Revision 15

Run-In and Stability

Check for Rotating Anode Tubes

Copyright© 1982,1985,1986,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1996,2006
By GE Healthcare

Operating Documentation
 RUN-IN AND STABILITY CHECK
GE HEALTHCARE FOR ROTATING ANODE TUBES
REV 15 DIRECTION 46-013804

• THIS SERVICE MANUAL IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH ONLY.

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QUE EL PROVEEDOR DE SERVICIOS, EL OPERADOR O EL
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ELÉCTRICAS, MECÁNICAS O DE OTRA NATURALEZA.

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 RUN-IN AND STABILITY CHECK
GE HEALTHCARE FOR ROTATING ANODE TUBES
REV 15 DIRECTION 46-013804

• ESTE MANUAL DE ASSISTÊNCIA TÉCNICA SÓ SE ENCONTRA

ATENCAO
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 RUN-IN AND STABILITY CHECK
GE HEALTHCARE FOR ROTATING ANODE TUBES
REV 15 DIRECTION 46-013804

Direction 46-013804
Revision 15

Run-In and Stability Check

for Rotating Anode Tubes

IMPORTANT! . . . X-RAY PROTECTION

X-ray equipment if not properly
used may cause injury.
Accordingly, the instructions
herein contained should be
thoroughly read and understood
by everyone who will use the
equipment before you attempt to
place this equipment in operation.
GE Healthcare will be glad to
assist and cooperate in placing
this equipment in use.
Although this apparatus incorpo-
rates a high degree of protection
against x-radiation other than the
useful beam, no practical design of
equipment can provide complete
protection. Nor can any practical
design compel the operator to take
adequate precautions to prevent the
possibility of any persons carelessly
exposing themselves or others to
radiation.
It is important that everyone having
anything to do with x-radiation be
properly trained and fully
acquainted with the recommenda-
tions of the National Council on
Radiation Protection and Measure-
ments as published in NCRP
Reports available from NCRP Pub-
lications, 7910 Woodmont Avenue,
Room 1016, Bethesda, Maryland
20814, and of the International
Commission on Radiation Protec-
tion, and take adequate steps to
protect against injury.
The equipment is sold with the
understanding that GE Healthcare,
its agents and representatives have
no responsibility for injury or
damage which may result from
improper use of the equipment.
Various protective material and
devices are available. It is urged
that such materials or devices be
used.
CAUTION: United States
Federal law restricts this device
to use by or on the order of a
physician.

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If you have comments, suggestions or corrections to the information in this document, please
write them down, include the document title and document number, and send them to:
GE HEALTHCARE

MANAGER – INFORMATION INTEGRATION - AMERICAS

W-622, P.O. BOX 414
MILWAUKEE, WI 53201-0414

CERTIFIED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR STATEMENT

All electrical installations that are
preliminary to positioning of the
equipment at the site prepared
for the equipment shall be
performed by licensed electrical
contractors. In addition,
electrical feeds into the Power
Distribution Unit shall be
performed by licensed electrical
contractors. Other connections
between pieces of electric
equipment, calibrations, and
tested shall be performed by products will comply with the
qualified GE Healthcare requirements of the applicable
personnel. The products involved electrical codes.
(and the accompanying electrical
The purchaser of GE equipment
installations) are highly
shall only utilize qualified
sophisticated, and special
personnel (i.e., GE’s field
engineering competence is
engineers, personnel of third-
required. In performing all
party service companies with
electrical work on these products,
equivalent training, or licensed
GE will use its own specially
electricians) to perform electrical
trained field engineers. All of
servicing on the equipment.
GE’s electrical work on these

DAMAGE IN TRANSPORTATION

All packages should be closely
examined at time of delivery. If
damage is apparent, have notation
“damage in shipment” written on
all copies of the freight or express
bill before delivery is accepted or
“signed for” by a General Electric
representative or a hospital
receiving agent. Whether noted or
concealed, damage MUST be
reported to the carrier immediately
upon discovery, or in any event,
within 14 days after receipt, and the
contents and containers held for
inspection by the carrier. A
transportation company will not pay
a claim for damage if the inspection
is not requested within this 14 day
period.
To file a report call Global Parts, 1-
800-548-3366 Option 8,
immediately after damage is found.
At this time be ready to supply
name of carrier, delivery date,
consignee name, freight or express
bill number, item damaged and
extent of damage.
Contact your local Service
Coordinator for more information
on this process.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
REVISION HISTORY .............................................................................................................................. ix

SECTION 1 PURPOSE................................................................................................................1

SECTION 2 REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................3

SECTION 3 PROCEDURE .........................................................................................................5

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REVISION HISTORY

REV DATE REASON FOR CHANGE

B Feb. 5, 1982 First two revisions (A & B) used a different revision control system.
3 Feb. 5, 1985 Added SPX; general revisions
4 Feb. 10, 1986 Added HTX to Tables 1, 3, and 6; added information on Maxiray 125, 0.3-1.2 to
Table 6.
5 April 24, 1987 Added HTG 100 graphite tubes. Added information on Maxiray 100, 1.0 mm, 12½,
0.3-1.2 to Table 6.
6 Nov. 27, 1987 Added Advantx reference for Direction 46-019075. Added LV100 Tube. Changed
SMX to MVP Micro.
7 May 13, 1988 Added 1.0 mm spot for HTC/HTG/LP. Added 1.1 mm spot for MX 125. Changed
mA values in Table 5 for MPX with MX 125, 1.2 mm, and for all 1 phase generators
with MX75, 2.0 mm.
8 Oct. 28. 1988 Removed the reference to the non-existent 1.1 mm spot for MX125 from Tables 1, 3
and 5. (This was added by error in Rev. 7.) Also deletes reference to the 1.0 mm spot
for HTC/HTG/LP from Tables 1, 3 and 5.
9 Oct. 13, 1989 Clarify Advantx reference on Page 1.
10 June 15, 1990 Change Table 5 for MVP Micro for MX75, 11° tube. Changed format.
11 Sept. 20, 1991 Convert direction to all electronic for CD-ROM.
12 Aug. 14, 1992 Removed HTG 100/LP 100 Tubes from Tables 1, 3, 5 and 6. Added Note to Section 1
for HTG 100/LP 100 Graphite Tubes with MPX or MSI that Direction 40-017534
should be used instead.
13 Dec. 6. 1995 Specify MVP Micro run-in exposures are 30 seconds apart.
14 Nov. 8, 1996 Added MPH, MPG and SCPU generators to section 3.
15 Mar. 31, 2006 Removed references to obsolete tubes. General revision to change references to
specific generator name.

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SECTION 1
PURPOSE
Regardless of the amount of factory conditioning and testing of x-ray tubes,
the installation of a new tube or tube unit requires a “run-in” procedure to
assure trouble-free subsequent operation. This “run-in” procedure checks
out the tube and establishes the proper relation to its new environment with
the equipment used. The action establishes a favorable distribution of the
electrical charges and electrostatic stresses in the insulation system of the
tube and the associated equipment. Once a tube is “run-in” and checked for
stability in an installation, it should rarely require further “ run-in” unless
some major component of the high-voltage system has been repaired or
replaced.

The following recommended installation procedures assume that the tube

unit has been checked for air leaks, correct filament energization, and
anode rotation. Also, initial checks and adjustments of kVp, mA, and the
mA-mAs meter have been made at kVp levels well below the tubes’
maximum ratings and in accordance with the equipment directions.

The procedure consists of:

1. A 5 minute high heat input rate to the target to bring it to near
maximum heat, with individual exposures of sufficient energy to
give some “working” to the target surface.
2. A 10 minute medium heat input rate to maintain a good target
temperature soak, which enhances better action.
3. A cooling period to return the target to nominal zero heat storage.
4. A high-voltage stability check up to the full kVp rating of the tube.

Note: Information provided in this direction applies only to tubes presently

listed in the price book.

Note: Direction 46-013804 is not applicable for Advantx Systems. For

Advantx Systems, see instead Calibration Unit “X011, Tube Run-In
and Stability,” in the appropriate “Advantx Calibration User’s
Guide” direction.

Note: Direction 46-013804 no longer applies to HTG 100/LP 100 Graphite

Tubes. For HTG 100/LP 100 Graphite Tubes with MPX or MSI
systems, see instead, Direction 46-017534, “Run-in and Stability
Check for HTG 100/LP 100 Graphite Tubes for Non-Advantx
Systems.”

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SECTION 2
REQUIREMENTS
1. The tube must have cooled a minimum of 15 minutes since the last
previous exposure.
2. All exposures should be monitored for kVp wave shape and mA values.
3. Do not exceed generator ratings. For 50 Hz ratings, follow the
procedure given, but modify accordingly to stay well within 50 Hz
ratings.
4. If the procedure is interrupted before completion for longer than the
times allotted, or if the procedure needs to be repeated, cool for a
minimum of 15 minutes and start over from the beginning.
5. If three complete procedures do not result in stable operation, replace
the tube.

ALL RADIATION SAFETY RULES MUST BE OBSERVED. CLOSE THE

COLLIMATOR IF POSSIBLE. BLOCK THE TUBE UNIT RADIATION
WARNING PORT WITH ADEQUATE RADIATION SHIELDING. AND BE SURE
ALL PERSONNEL ARE CLEAR OF THE AREA OR BEHIND A
PROTECTIVE BARRIER.

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SECTION 3
PROCEDURE
1. 5 minutes high heat input -

Operate per Table 1 for multiphase generators (3 phase, mid-frequency,

high frequency and constant potential generators).
Table 2 for single phase generators
Large focal spot
Do not drop rotor between exposures.

2. 10 minutes medium heat input – operate per Table 1 or 2, except double

interval between exposures.
Large focal spot
Do not drop rotor between exposures.

TABLE 1
MULTIPHASE GENERATORS
TUBE LARGE TARGET kVp mA SEC HEAT UNITS PER EXPOSURE TOTAL
TYPE FOCAL ANGLE EXPOSURE IN RATE EXPOSURES
SPOT THOUSANDS
1.0 11 90 250 0.32 9.7 1 PER 7.5 SEC. 40
MX 75 1.5 15 90 250 0.64 19.4 1 PER 15 SEC 20
2.0 15 90 250 0.8 24.3 1 PER 20 SEC 15
MX100 ALL 90 250 0.8 24.3 1 PER 15 SEC 20

NOTE 1: Where the specific technic shown is not permitted, use an equivalent
technic that can be selected and provides the same (or slightly lower)
heat units per exposure. (Heat Units = kVp x mA x time x 1.35)

Example: 90 kVp, 300 mA, 0.25 sec is equivalent to 90 kVp, 150

mA, 0.5 sec.

NOTE 2 MX100 6½° target requires high speed rotor

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REV 15 DIRECTION 46-013804

TABLE 2
SINGLE PHASE GENERATORS (EXCEPT MVP MICRO)
TUBE LARGE TARGET kVp mA SEC HEAT UNITS PER EXPOSURE TOTAL
TYPE FOCAL ANGLE EXPOSURE IN RATE EXPOSURES
SPOT THOUSANDS
HRT ALL 80 200 1.5 24 1 PER 30 SEC 10
MX 75 ALL 80 200 1.5 24 1 PER 20 SEC 15
MX100 ALL 80 200 1.5 24 1 PER 20 SEC 20

See NOTE 1.

TABLE 3
MVP MICRO
TUBE LARGE TARGET kVp mA SEC HEAT UNITS PER EXPOSURE TOTAL
TYPE FOCAL ANGLE EXPOSURE IN RATE EXPOSURES
SPOT THOUSANDS
High Speed (150/180 Hz) Rotor
MX 75 ALL 80 320 1.5 36 1 PER 30 SEC 15
MX100 ALL 80 320 1.5 36 1 PER 30 SEC 20
Low Speed (50/60Hz) Rotor
MX 75 ALL 80 200 2.0 32 1 PER 30 SEC 15
MX100 ALL 80 200 2.0 32 1 PER 30 SEC 20

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REV 15 DIRECTION 46-013804

3. Cooling period of 15 minutes to 1 hour.

4. High-voltage stability check.

Do not exceed generator ratings.

Do not drop rotor between exposures.
(A rotor stop between exposures is permitted when changing technic,
should the generator requires a stop in order to modify technic.)
• Select:
Focal spot – XL
Exposure time – 32.0 msec (or next lower exposure time as allowed
by generator type.)
• Take a minimum of 5 exposures at each kVp step per Table 8, except
15 minutes at the highest kVp.
Space exposures 5 – 10 seconds apart. (If generator does not allow
this close a spacing, space the exposure as close to 10 seconds apart
as allowed by the generator.)
If kickoff, surges, or erratic waveshapes occur at any kVp value,
reduce kVp until 5 clean exposures have been obtained at a lower
value. Then increase kVp again and continue the operation. If
trouble persists, search for other causes. The repeat entire “run-in”
procedure, if necessary.
The “run-in” is completed when 15 consecutive clean exposures have
been obtained at the maximum kVp to be used.
If three complete procedures do not result in stable operation, replace the tube.

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REV 15 DIRECTION 46-013804
TABLE 4
mA VALUES FOR STABILITY CHECK
TUBE TYPE FOCAL SPOT SINGLE PHASE MULTIPHASE
HRT ALL 200 N/A
1.0 100 200
MX 75 1.5 200 200
2.0 200 320
0.6 100 200
0.9 N/A 320
1.0 200 200
MX 100
1.3 200 320
1.5 300 400
2.0 300 400

TABLE 5
kVp STEPS FOR STABILITY CHECK
TUBE TYPE kVp STEPS
HRT 80, 100, 125, 130
MX 75 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 146, 150
MX 100 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 146, 150

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