What does Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) primarily control?

Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) is designed to optimize the exposure of the radiographic image by automatically adjusting the technical factors based on the amount of radiation reaching the receptor. The primary function of AEC is to maintain a consistent degree of image quality by controlling the amount of radiation exposure, which directly relates to the quantity of mAs (milliampere-seconds) delivered during the imaging process.

In practice, AEC achieves this by measuring the radiation that passes through the patient and interacts with the image receptor. When adequate exposure has been detected, the AEC system terminates the exposure, ensuring that the patient receives only the necessary radiation dose for the diagnostic task at hand. This results in a more consistent and controlled output, minimizing the potential for overexposure or underexposure.

Though other parameters like kV (kilovolt peak), mA (milliamperes), and exposure time can influence image quality, AEC primarily focuses on the overall exposure represented by mAs, making it the key factor in achieving the desired radiographic outcome. By effectively managing mAs, AEC helps to ensure optimal image quality across various patient sizes and conditions.