Which of the following is referred to as a 'technical' or 'hardware' error in radiography?

• A. Dirty or damaged cassettes
• B. Use of incorrect technical factors
• C. Improper collimation
• D. Failure to measure the patient with caliper

Answer: (A)

Hardware issues arise when the imaging receptor or equipment is compromised. Dirty or damaged cassettes fit this because the cassette is the physical receptor that receives the image. Dirt on the screens can cause fogging, uneven density, or reduced sharpness, while damage—such as cracks, light leaks, or poor front-back contact—degrades image quality and resolution. These problems originate from the hardware itself, not from how you set exposure or position the patient.

The other choices depict technique or patient-related factors: using incorrect technical factors changes brightness and contrast via exposure settings; improper collimation alters the beam size and dose; and failing to measure the patient with a caliper affects selecting the correct technique. Those are not hardware faults but decisions or actions in technique and patient handling.