converter

also n.

1. One that converts, especially:
   1. A furnace in which pig iron is converted into steel by the Bessemer process.
   2. A machine that converts electric current from one kind to another.
   3. An electronic device that converts one frequency of a radio signal to another.
   4. A device that converts data from one code to another.
2. One that is employed in converting raw products into finished products.

A device for processing alternating-current (ac) or direct-current (dc) power to provide a different electrical waveform. The term converter denotes a mechanism for either processing ac power into dc power (rectifier) or deriving power with an ac waveform from dc (inverter). Some converters serve both functions, others only one. See also Alternating current; Direct current; Rectifier.

Converters are used for such applications as (1) rectification from ac to supply electrochemical processes with large controlled levels of direct current; (2) rectification of ac to dc followed by inversion to a controlled frequency of ac to supply variable-speed ac motors; (3) interfacing dc power sources (such as fuel cells and photoelectric devices) to ac distribution systems; (4) production of dc from ac power for subway and streetcar systems, and for controlled dc voltage for speed-control of dc motors in numerous industrial applications; and (5) transmission of dc electric power between rectifier stations and inverter stations within ac generation and transmission networks. See also Alternating-current motor; Direct-current transmission.

The introduction of the thyristor (silicon-controlled rectifier) in the 1960s had an immediate effect on converter applications because of its ruggedness, reliability, and compactness. Power semiconductor devices for converter circuits include (1) thyristors, controlled unidirectional switches that, once conducting, have no capability to suppress current; (2) triacs, thyristor devices with bidirectional control of conduction; (3) gate turn-off devices with the properties of thyristors and the further capability of suppressing current; and (4) power transistors, high-power transistors operating in the switching mode, somewhat similar in properties to gate turn-off devices. Thyristors are available with ratings from a few watts up to the capability of withstanding several kilovolts and conducting several kiloamperes. See also Semiconductor rectifier.

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(1) A device that changes one set of codes, modes, sequences or frequencies to a different set. See A/D converter.

(2) A device that changes current from 60Hz to 50Hz and vice versa.

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A device or machine used to change alternating-current power to direct-current power or vice versa.

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Common misspelling(s) of converter

• convertor

Dansk (Danish)
n. - omdanner, omformer, blandingsrør, konverter

Nederlands (Dutch)
convertor, (signaal) omzetter

Français (French)
n. - (Élec, gén) convertisseur, (Radio) changeur de fréquence, (Ind, Comput) convertisseur

Deutsch (German)
n. - Konverter

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - μετατροπέας, (ηλεκτρ.) στρόμβος, μεταλλακτήρας, μεταλλάκτης

Italiano (Italian)
convertitore

Português (Portuguese)
n. - convertedor (m), conversor (m) (Eletr.)

Русский (Russian)
преобразователь, конвертер, реактор-конвертер

Español (Spanish)
n. - convertidor

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - omvandlare, konverter (tekn.), frekvensomvandlare (elektr.), proselytmakare

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
教化者, 变流器, 整流器, 转化炉, 变频器

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 教化者, 變流器, 整流器, 轉化爐, 變頻器

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 교환자, 직물가, 변류기, 공업가

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 変換器, チャンネル変換装置, コンバーター, 転炉

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) محول, مغير كهربائي‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מחלף (בחשמל)‬

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converter	currency converter
Hdtv Converter	digital converter