In an AC circuit, the machine that converts AC to DC is known as what?

In an AC circuit, the device responsible for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) is called a rectifier. Rectifiers work by allowing current to flow only in one direction, effectively "clipping" the AC waveform to produce a DC output. This process can be achieved using various configurations of diodes, and the design of the rectifier influences the quality and efficiency of the resultant DC.

Rectifiers are crucial in numerous applications where DC power is required, such as in power supplies for electronic devices. This conversion is essential because most electrical and electronic devices operate on DC power. Understanding the role of a rectifier is fundamental in electrical engineering, particularly for those working with power systems and electronic circuits.

Other options in the question serve different functions: an inverter converts DC to AC, a transformer changes voltage levels of AC while maintaining the same current type, and a filter smooths and reduces voltage ripple in the output of a rectifier, but none of these perform the conversion from AC to DC.