1 Answer
The person most famously associated with the development of the technology to convert **AC (alternating current)** to **DC (direct current)** is **Thomas Edison**. However, Edison didn’t directly "change" AC to DC; he was a major advocate for DC as the standard for electrical power transmission. He was involved in the development of **DC generators** and promoted DC systems for power distribution.
Later, **Nikola Tesla** and **George Westinghouse** pushed for the adoption of **AC** over Edison’s DC for long-distance power transmission. AC has the advantage of being easier to step up or down in voltage, which made it more efficient for long-distance transmission.
To actually convert AC to DC, there are devices called **rectifiers**. Over time, the development of **solid-state rectifiers** (using semiconductor materials like diodes) made it much easier to convert AC to DC efficiently. This technology became essential in many applications, like in power supplies for electronics, electric motors, and in the operation of things like **AC-to-DC chargers** for batteries.
So, while Edison was influential in promoting DC, the technology and the devices for converting AC to DC evolved over time, with many contributors in the field of electrical engineering!
Later, **Nikola Tesla** and **George Westinghouse** pushed for the adoption of **AC** over Edison’s DC for long-distance power transmission. AC has the advantage of being easier to step up or down in voltage, which made it more efficient for long-distance transmission.
To actually convert AC to DC, there are devices called **rectifiers**. Over time, the development of **solid-state rectifiers** (using semiconductor materials like diodes) made it much easier to convert AC to DC efficiently. This technology became essential in many applications, like in power supplies for electronics, electric motors, and in the operation of things like **AC-to-DC chargers** for batteries.
So, while Edison was influential in promoting DC, the technology and the devices for converting AC to DC evolved over time, with many contributors in the field of electrical engineering!