What is the typical voltage range in which an x-ray tube operates?

The typical voltage range for x-ray tubes is between 50 to 150 kV. This range is essential for creating high-energy x-rays necessary for effective imaging. At these voltage levels, sufficient energy is supplied to the electrons produced in the tube, enabling them to generate x-rays when they collide with the anode.

Lower voltages, such as those in the 1-10 kV range, would not provide enough energy to produce diagnostic-quality x-rays, while voltage levels exceeding 150 kV might be used in specialized applications, such as in radiation therapy or industrial radiography, but they are not typical for standard diagnostic imaging. The very high voltage ranges like 200-500 kV and 1000-3000 kV are used for specific and advanced procedures, not commonly for diagnostic x-ray imaging, which further reinforces why 50-150 kV is the standard operational range for most x-ray tubes used in medical diagnoses.