Which component supplies electrical power to the x-ray tube?

The component that supplies electrical power to the x-ray tube is the x-ray generator. The x-ray generator is responsible for converting the electrical energy from the power source into high voltage necessary for the operation of the x-ray tube. It generates the high voltage required to create x-rays by increasing the low voltage power supplied to a level that can accelerate electrons from the cathode to the anode, enabling the production of x-rays.

In addition to providing the necessary power, the x-ray generator also plays a role in controlling the settings for exposing the patient, such as the kilovoltage peak (kVp) that determines the quality of the x-ray beam and the milliampere (mA) that influences the quantity of x-rays produced. This multifaceted functionality makes the x-ray generator a critical component in the radiographic system.

The other components, while important in their own right, do not supply electrical power to the x-ray tube. The kVp meter measures the voltage level used to generate x-rays, the x-ray transformer adjusts the voltage and current as needed, and the mA meter shows the current during exposure but does not generate power itself.