What is Thermoelectric Cooling?

Thermoelectric cooling is a way to pump heat from one side of a device to the other by applying voltage between two electrodes connected to a sample of semiconductor material. The temperature differential that appears, which is known as the Peltier Effect, can be used for cooling, heating and precise temperature control for various applications.

How do Thermoelectric Coolers work?

Thermoelectric coolers, also referred to as Peltier Coolers, are solid-state heat pumps that require DC voltage to dissipate heat using the Peltier effect. A Thermoelectric cooler consists of an array of p-and n-type semiconductor materials that are soldered between two ceramic plates. During operation, electric current flows through the module to create heat transfer and a temperature differential across the ceramic plates resulting in one cold and one hot side of the Thermoelectric cooler.

What are the advantages of using TECs instead of compressor-based systems?

• Reliable and low-maintenance: Solid-state design with no moving parts reduces maintenance and operating costs.
• Flexible installation: Can be mounted in any orientation.
• Compact design: Ideal for space-constrained applications.
• Below-ambient cooling: Multistage TECs can reach −100°C under specific vacuum conditions.
• Precise temperature control: Accuracy down to ±0.01°C under steady-state conditions.
• Environmentally friendly: No CFC refrigerants and minimal electrical noise.

How reliable is Thermoelectric cooling?

Thermoelectric coolers are highly reliable because they have a solid-state construction with no moving parts. They are also known for having a high mean time between failures (MTBFs). It is difficult to estimate the lifetime of a thermoelectric cooler, due to the variables in application conditions, such as changes to heat load, on/off cycling, heat or cooling, drive circuit and system design with protection against condensation. All variables can influence the product's lifetime.

However, for demanding applications such as modern diagnostics, which require high rates of thermal cycling, the PowerCycling PCX Series thermoelectric coolers have been tested to withstand rigorous cycle testing based on the latest PCR industry test protocol without degradation in performance.

What temperature accuracy can Thermoelectric coolers achieve?

Thermoelectric coolers have a very high temperature accuracy since the applied current is relative to the cooling it generates. Temperature control accuracy up to ±0.01°C can be achieved under steady-state conditions with a temperature controller of the same accuracy to this tolerance.

How can I tell that thermoelectric cooling is the most suitable for my application?

Thermoelectric cooling systems are most beneficial in applications with:

• Tight space constraints
• Low heat load capacities, typically less than 400 W
• Control temperatures below ambient
• Precise temperature control
• Heating and cooling