Rotary converter
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![Wiring schematic for a simplified bipolar field Gramme ring single-phase to direct current rotary converter. (In actual use, the converter is drum-wound and uses a multipolar field.)[1]](/uploads/202502/08/Rotary_Converter_-_Single_Phase_to_DC1720.png)
![Wiring schematic for a simpllfied two-phase to direct current rotary converter, with the second phase connected at right angles to the first.[2]](/uploads/202502/08/Rotary_Converter_-_Two_Phase_to_DC1720.png)
![Wiring schematic for a simpllfied three-phase to direct current rotary converter, with the phases separated by 120 degrees on the commutator.[3]](/uploads/202502/08/Rotary_Converter_-_Three_Phase_to_DC1720.png)
A rotary converter is a type of electrical machine which acts as a mechanical rectifier or inverter. It was used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), or DC to AC power, before the advent of chemical or solid state power rectification. They were commonly used to provide DC power for commercial, industrial and railway electrification from an AC power source.