What type of electrical component is typically used to change AC voltage levels?

A transformer is the electrical component specifically designed to change AC voltage levels. It operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction, where alternating current in one coil of wire induces a voltage in another coil that is magnetically linked to it. By adjusting the number of turns of wire in the primary coil compared to the secondary coil, a transformer can either step up (increase) or step down (decrease) the voltage level while maintaining the same frequency. This is crucial in electrical power distribution, allowing voltages to be raised for efficient transmission over long distances and then lowered for safe usage by consumers.

Inductors and capacitors, while they are passive components that can affect AC circuits, do not change voltage levels in the way transformers do. An inductor primarily stores energy in a magnetic field when current flows through it, and a capacitor stores energy in an electric field. A rectifier, on the other hand, is used to convert AC to DC, rather than modifying AC voltage levels. Therefore, the function of changing AC voltage levels distinctly identifies the transformer as the correct answer.