Rectifier electric current - electric power converter; mechanical, electric-, semiconductor or other device designed to convert alternating input electric current in a constant output electric current.
Most of the rectifier generates a constant and pulsating unidirectional voltage and current, to compensate for fluctuations which apply filters.
The device performs the opposite function - transformation constant voltage and current in the variable voltage and current - called an inverter. Because of the principle of reversibility of electrical machines rectifier and inverter are two varieties of one and the same electrical machines (valid only for inverter-based electrical machines).
The use of rectifiers in the power supply of radio and electrical equipment due to the fact that usually in the supply systems of buildings or vehicles (planes, trains) applied alternating current and output current of any electromagnetic transformer is applied to the electrical isolation circuits, or for reducing stress is always a variable, whereas in most cases, electronic circuits and electrical equipment designed to target supply current to voltage.
Power supply industrial and domestic radio and electrical equipment (including the so-called adapters (born AC-DC adaptor)).
Power on-board electronic equipment of vehicles.