X-ray Tube Grounding and Instability

When evaluating and using an X-ray tube, it is important to pay attention to the X-ray tube grounding topology. An improper ground path, a loose ground connection, or a mismanaged high voltage return line can result in tube instability that is tricky to diagnose. Recently, we have had a customers call us with an X-ray tube stability issue. They had recently received our X-ray tubes and installed them in their systems to begin testing. We then received notice that there was something wrong with the stability of the tube.

Our tubes are thoroughly tested before they leave our factory to ensure they are plug-and-play ready. Improper grounding is one of the leading causes of instability and can typically be characterized in one of two scenarios:

High Voltage Grounding Connection  

Some customers choose to perform quick tests after receiving the unit as a form of incoming inspection. Even (or especially) when doing a ‘quick test’, care needs to be taken!

Using temporary grounding connections is a sure-fire way of causing instability, or worse, damage! Temporary grounding simply cannot manage the high voltage (HV) it needs to dissipate. Whenever voltages over 600V are being used, proper grounding is a necessity. That means adequate cable sizing (min 12 AWG or larger) with a suitably sized ring or spade connection. Never use an alligator clip to ground any HV circuit!

Earth Ground

This is a ground physically and electrically connected to Earth via a conductive material. Although it seems natural to ground to the nearest bolt or screw, care needs to be taken to make sure that whatever you are connecting to has a suitably low inductance path directly to Earth.

One of the most common causes of tube instability is caused by a floating ground. This occurs when not all grounds are suitably connected to the same earth ground. A floating ground can quickly cause the tube to become unstable and lead to arcing. A ground which seems suitable at a low kV setting may suddenly appear to be failing at higher kV settings. Once the ground path is compromised, arcing in the tube begins to deplete the vacuum, which causes the premature end of filament life.

Test and Verification

It is always a good idea to put a high quality ohmmeter across all ground connections to make sure there is a dead short between them. If these poor grounding conditions exist, then damage to the X-ray tube may occur.

At Micro X-Ray, we put a lot of emphasis on building high-quality and high-performing X-Ray tubes and integrated solutions. The last thing we want is a tube to be damaged from something as simple as an improper ground connection.

Contact us today with your questions about grounding, or to learn more about our X-ray tube options and why we should be your top choice.

The post X-ray Sources 101: X-ray Tube Grounding Considerations appeared first on Micro X-Ray.

How to Choose and X-ray Tube Manufacturer

You have determined that you need an X-ray source; now what? While there are plenty of sources for X-ray tubes in the market, you need to decide which X-ray tube manufacturer(s) you should engage with to help provide a product that delivers precise, accurate measurements for your equipment.

The following article will help you narrow your choices so you can make the right decision for your needs.

What Makes a Good X-ray Tube Manufacturer?

The first question you need to ask yourself is: how important is quality and life expectancy?

Like consumer goods where “you get what you pay for,” not all X-ray sources are equal. While there are a lot of X-ray tube manufacturers, many still use antiquated methods of manufacturing.

X-ray tubes are precision manufactured, so expect to pay a premium for quality X-ray tubes. The other option would be to purchase several cheaper X-ray tubes and be prepared to swap them out when they fail.

Second, you should match the X-ray source to the application. Typically, when engaging with an X-ray tube manufacturer, you should share the application and be ready to discuss target material choice, focal spot size, and voltage & power expectations.

A good X-ray tube manufacturer can take this information and help determine the proper X-ray tube. A key point is sharing the application because there are several things a good X-ray manufacturing is listening for. Is this a high-humidity environment? Will stabilization time be an issue? Heat concerns, etc.

Finally, you should understand the type of X-ray source manufacturer you are talking with. Many have pre-set designs/specifications, so you must make do with their parameters. Others can offer choices and even customization so you can get what you want to help optimize for your application. How important is the location of the engineering, applications, and support staff? How important is the Country of Origin of the X-ray source? Will there be import/export hurdles?

When searching for X-ray tube manufacturers for your X-ray tubes, it’s essential to consider the above factors. These will ensure you engage with X-ray manufactures that can give you the best options for your specific application.

Then engage with them with the following considerations in mind:

• Do they use precision equipment/processes to create their X-ray tubes?
• Do they have a selection of X-ray source options?
• Do they take the time to work with you to find the ‘right’ solution for your needs?
• Are their prices & lead times competitive?

Micro X-Ray Offers the Services You Need

We hope that you include Micro X-ray in your list of choices. We proudly offer a wide range of X-ray tubes & sources for various industrial and scientific applications. We use the highest quality materials and have created very specific processes & manufacturing equipment to make sure our X-ray tubes are the highest quality possible.

We also value our customer’s specifications and do our best to customize our X-ray tubes to match your specifications.

Contact us today to learn more about our X-ray tube options and why we should be your top choice. We look forward to working with you.

The post How To Choose The Right X-ray Tube Manufacturer appeared first on Micro X-Ray.