What equipment is used to convert AC to DC current?

The equipment used to convert AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) is a converter. This device specifically employs a process known as rectification, which takes the alternating current, which varies in magnitude and direction, and transforms it into direct current, which flows in a single direction.

Converters are critical in various applications, including power supplies for electronic devices, battery charging, and many industrial processes where DC power is needed. The term "converter" encompasses various types, such as full-wave and half-wave rectifiers, which are designed to handle different conversion needs.

Other options do not perform this specific function. For example, a transformer is primarily used to change the voltage level of AC current but does not convert AC to DC. An inverter serves the opposite function, converting DC back to AC. A processor, while integral in controlling and processing information within electrical systems, does not have a role in changing the type of electrical current.