CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What devices are used to convert high voltage AC currents to DC currents?

1. Capacitors

2. Transformers

3. Rectifiers

4. Inductors

The correct answer is: Rectifiers

The device responsible for converting high voltage AC currents to DC currents is the rectifier. Rectifiers function by allowing current to flow only in one direction, effectively blocking the opposite flow, which is characteristic of alternating current (AC). This process is crucial in many electronic circuits, where DC is required for proper operation. Rectifiers are typically made using semiconductor materials, such as diodes, which enable this unidirectional current flow. The conversion process involves either half-wave or full-wave rectification, depending on the design, but the primary goal remains the same: to transform the bidirectional flow of AC into a unidirectional flow of DC. In other contexts, while capacitors can help smooth the resulting DC signal post-rectification, transformers step up or step down AC voltages without converting them to DC, and inductors are used to store energy in a magnetic field and do not perform current conversion. Thus, the rectifier is specifically designed for the task of converting AC to DC, making it the correct choice in response to the question.