Which device is used to convert AC voltage to DC voltage?

The device that converts alternating current (AC) voltage to direct current (DC) voltage is called a rectifier. Rectifiers function by allowing current to flow in only one direction, effectively transforming the bidirectional flow found in AC into a unidirectional flow characteristic of DC.

Rectification can be achieved through various methods, such as using diodes, and can involve different configurations, such as half-wave or full-wave rectification. This conversion is crucial for many applications that require a stable and unidirectional power supply, such as in powering electronic circuits, charging batteries, and operating DC motors.

In contrast, an inverter serves the opposite purpose, converting DC voltage back into AC voltage. A transformer is used to change the voltage level of AC and does not provide conversion to DC. Finally, a generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, but it typically generates AC, though it can produce DC as well, depending on its design. However, the direct conversion from AC to DC is specifically the role of the rectifier.