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TEC Controller Basics and Selection Guide

How and Why Our TEC Controllers Have the Highest Efficiency on the Market

TEC (Thermo-Electric Cooler, or Peltier Cooler) is a semiconductor device which can cool down or heat up the temperature of a thermal load depending on the direction of the current going through the two terminals of the TEC. By using a TEC controller, the thermal load temperature can be regulated precisely by controlling the direction and amplitude of the current going through the TEC.

We have been developing TEC controllers for over 21 years and accumulated numerous innovative designs, among them, the most critical invention is our unique design of the output driving stage which uses only one PWM engine, as opposed to using two PWM engines by all others' designs. This special design was awarded a US patent, US 6486643 B2. This design cuts the power loss by 20%, component cost by 25%, PCB component area by 35%, resulting in a highest efficiency and lowest cost TEC controller on the market.

We have a variety of TEC Controllers.

TEC_Controller

Selection Guide

Many of these TEC controllers work well with our TEC ModulesThermistors and Thermally Conductive Epoxy.

Selection Guide for TEC Controllers

RoHS Certificate of Compliance for TEC Controllers

REACH Certificate of Compliance for TEC Controllers

Design Notes Related to TEC Controllers

How does a TEC Controller work - See our videos

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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  • Compact Size: 0.55"×0.55"×0.09"(14.0mm×14.0mm×2.2mm)
  • Small Height: 0.09" (2.2mm)
  • High Reliability: fully molded
  • Surface Mount
  • Bottom Thermal Pad: allows high power heat sinking
  • Efficiency: 90%
  • Maximum Output Current: 3.5A
  • Maximum Output Voltage: 5V
  • Actual Object Temperature Monitoring
  • High Stability: 0.001°
  • Low Cost
  • Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    TEC14M5V3R5AS tec controller TECA1-xV-xV-DAH
    TEC14MEV1.0 Evaluation Board for Micro TEC controller TEC14M5V3R5AS

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    TEC18V15A, TEC12V9A and TEC9V6A series TEC controllers are designed to drive TECs at high efficiency for regulating the object temperature precisely by controlling the direction and magnitude of the current going through the TEC. It is powered by a DC voltage between 6.5V to 18V, 12V and 9V respectively. The output current can go up to 15A, 10A and 6A respectively without using a heat sink.
    TEC Controller Load Assembly TECLD15A is used for evaluating these TEC controllers.

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    TEC18V15A tec controller TEC18V15A
    TEC12V9A tec controller TEC12V15A
    TEC9V6A tec controller TEC9V15A
    TEC28V15A Series (Under Development)

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    This TEC controller, TEC28V15A, is designed to drive a TEC at high efficiency for regulating the object temperature precisely by controlling the direction and magnitude of the current going through the TEC. It is powered by a DC voltage between 9V to 28V and output current can go up to 15A without using a heat sink.

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    TEC28V15A tec controller TEC5V6A-D

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    TEC28V15AEV1 and TEC28V15AEV2 are designed for evaluating the controller TEC28V15A, TEC18V15A, TEC12V15A, TEC9V15A series conveniently. It is recommended to read the controller datasheet which provides more detail information about the specifications and application guidance for the controller. The main purpose of using the evaluation board is to let the controller drive a voltage configurable unbreakable dummy laser diode on the board to emulate users' actual expensive laser diode with a programmable current.

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
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    TEC28V15AEV1 TEC28V15AEV1 Datasheet buy now buy now
    TEC28V15AEV2 Datasheet buy now Buy Now
    TEC50V20ACH (Under Development)

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    This TEC controller, TEC50V20ACH, is designed to drive a TEC at high efficiency for regulating the object temperature precisely by controlling the direction and magnitude of the current going through the TEC.

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    TEC50V20ACH tec controller TEC50V20ACH

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    Digital TEC/Fan Controller is designed for regulating an enclosed chamber temperature by driving a TEC array and a fan array. In addition, upon detecting the chamber temperature goes beyond the safety windows, it cuts off an AC power switch by sending the relay control signal. This series includes ATFC106D and ATFC109D.
    Digital Display for Parameter Setting and Monitoring
    High Output Power for TEC
    High Efficiency
    No Heat Sink Required
    Penal Mounting Design
    Compact Size
    Communication Function

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    ATFC106D tec controller ATFC106D
    ATFC109D tec controller ATFC109D

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    Efficiency: 90%

    Max. Output Current: 2.5A

    Max. Output Voltage: externally adjustable from 0V to VVPS

    Power Supply Voltage: 3.1V to 3.5V or 4.75V to 5.25V (Specify 3.3V or 5V when ordering)

    Set-point Temp. Control Voltage: 0.1V to VVPS

    Package: DIP package

    RoHS Compliance: 100% lead-free

    Part Number Datasheet with
    Pricelist
    Buy Now
    TECA1-5V-5V-D tec controller TECA1-5V-5V-D buy now   buy now
    TECA1LD-5V-5V-D tec controller TECA1LD-5V-5V-D buy now  buy now
    TECA1-5V-2.5V-D tec controller TECA1-5V-2.5V-D buy now  buy now
    TECA1LD-5V-2.5V-D tec controller TECA1LD-5V-2.5V-D buy now  buy now
    TECA1-3V-3V-D tec controller TECA1-3V-3V-D buy now  buy now
    TECA1LD-3V-3V-D TEC controller buy now  buy now
    TECA1LD-3V-3V-S TEC controller buy now  buy now

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    High Efficiency: ≥90%

    Maximum Output Current: 2.5A

    Actual Object Temperature Monitoring

    High Stability: 0.004°C

    High Reliability and Zero EMI

    Compact Size

    100 % Lead (Pb)-free and RoHS compliant

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
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    TECA1-xV-xV-DAH tec controller TECA1-xV-xV-DAH buy now  buy now
    TECA1LD-xV-xV-DAH tec controller TECA1-xV-xV-DAH buy now  buy now

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    High Efficiency: ≥90%

    Maximum Output Current: 1.5A

    Actual Object Temperature Monitoring

    High Stability: 0.01°C

    High Reliability and Zero EMI

    Compact Size

    100 % Lead (Pb)-free and RoHS compliant

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
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    TECA2-xV-xV-DAH tec controller TECA1-xV-xV-DAH buy now   buy now

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    Efficiency: 90%

    Max. Output Current: 4A

    Max. Output Voltage: externally adjustable from 0V to VVPS

    Set-point Temp. Control Voltage: 0V to 3V

    Package: DIP package

    Complete Shielding: 6 sided metal enclosure

    RoHS Compliance: 100% lead-free

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
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    TEC5V4A-D tec controller TEC5V4A-D buy now  buy now
    TEC5V4A-DA tec controller TECA1LD-5V-5V-D buy now  buy now
    TEC5V4A-DAH tec controller TECA1-5V-2.5V-D buy now  buy now
    TEC5V4A-NT tec controller TEC5V4A-D buy now  Buy Now

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    Efficiency: 90%

    Max. Output Current: 6A

    Max. Output Voltage: externally adjustable from 0V to VVPS

    Package: DIP package

    Complete Shielding: 6 sided metal enclosure

    RoHS Compliance: 100 % lead-free

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    Buy Now
    TEC5V6A-NT Datasheet buy now  buy now
    TEC5V6A-D tec controller TEC5V6A-D buy now  buy now
    TEC5V6A-S tec controller TEC5V6A-S buy now  buy now
    TEC5V6A-DA tec controller TEC5V6A-DA buy now  buy now
    TEC5V6A-DAH tec controller TEC5V6A-DAH buy now  buy now

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    The TEC Controller Evaluation Board TECEV104 is consisted of a complete tunable compensation network and application circuit for using our TECA1 series, TEC5V4A-D series, and TEC5V6A-D series TEC controllers to drive a TEC. It can set the output voltage limit, tune the compensation network, and set the set-point temperature. This evaluation board has an LED for indicating the temperature loop status of the controller, and numerous connection pads for making connections with external components and instruments. It is 100 % lead (Pb)-free and RoHS compliant.

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    Buy Now
    TECEV104 tec controller TEC5V6A-D buy now  buy now

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    The TECLD15A is a TEC controller load assembly that comes with one TEC module, one heat sink, one high efficiency fan on the hot side, and one large-size platform, etc. A digital display shows the temperature of the cold plate and the heat sink, and the ambient temperature. The platform is made of 6063 aluminum alloy. The material, size and shape of the platform and the specifications of the TEC module can be customized.

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    TECLD15A tec controller TEC5V6A-D
    TEC Controller Evaluation Board TECEV103 (Not Recommend for New Designs)

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    This TEC Controller Evaluation Kit TECEV103 can be used for evaluating our TECA1 series TEC controllers conveniently.

    TECEV103 has been replaced with TECEV104.

    Datasheet for TTV2.1 (OBSOLETE)

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    Stock (pcs)
    TECEV103 tec controller TECEV103 0
    ATW3A314 (Under Development)

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    ATW3A314 is a compact high efficiency electronic module, designed for controlling TECs (Thermo-Electric Coolers) for regulating a target object temperature to be within a pre-set temperature window. The main advantage to use this controller is to save energy for battery powered systems: during most of the operating time, the target is within the preset window, and the TEC controller is not turned on, only occationally, the target temperature falls outside the preset window and the TEC controller is turned on to bring the target temperature back to be within the limits.

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    Stock (pcs)
    ATW3A314 tec controller ATW3A314 0
    ATEC24V10A-D
    (Under Development-Upgraded Replacement: TEC28V15A)

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    High Output Voltage: 24V

    High Output Current: 10A

    High Efficiency: >96%

    High Temperature Stability: <0.01C

    Programmable Current Limit

    Complete Shielding

    Compact Size: 38.8 X 34.5 X 7.5 (mm)

    DIP and SMT Packages Available

    RoHS Compliance: 100 % lead-free

    Part Number Datasheet With
    Pricelist
    Stock (pcs)
    ATEC24V10A-D tec controller ATEC24V10A-D 0
    Selection Guide for High Current TEC Controllers
    Part # Input Voltage
    (V)
    Maximum
    Output Current
    (A)
    Package Temp Pin @
    Shut Down
    3 Voltage
    Reference @
    Shut Down
    TEC-5V-4A-D
    TEC controller
    5 4 DIP Working Working
    TEC-5V-4A-DB
    TEC controller
    5 4 DIP Disabled Working
    TEC-5V-4A-S
    TEC controller
    5 4 SMT Working Working
    TEC-5V-4A-SB
    TEC controller
    5 4 SMT Disabled Working
    TEC-5V-6A-D
    TEC controller
    5 6 DIP Working Working
    TEC-5V-6A-DB
    TEC controller
    5 6 DIP Disabled Working
    TEC-5V-6A-S
    TEC controller
    5 6 SMT Working Working
    TEC-5V-6A-SB
    TEC controller
    5 6 SMT Disabled Working

    Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

    1. Q: How Does a TEC Work?
    A: TEC stands for “Thermoelectric Cooler” that can produce both heating and cooling based on the Peltier effect. TEC can transport heat form one of its surfaces to another and the heating and cooling direction and the magnitude depends on the direction and magnitude of the electric current that flows through it. A TEC is consisted of two ceramic plates sandwiched with Peltier elements which are connected in serial and terminated with 2 leads. When ADC voltage is applied to the 2 leads, a current is generated and goes through all the Peltier elements, each element generates cold on one end and hot on the other end. All the cold power generated by each element adds up at one of the ceramic plates and all the hot adds up as well at the other plate. Thus, one plate becomes hot and the other plate gets cold.
    2. Q: How Does a TEC Controller Work?
    A: All the TEC controllers have a temperature sensing circuit. It reads a temperature signal from a temperature sensor which is mounted onto a target object and derives this signal into an analog voltage representing the actual temperature value of the target object. The controller then compare the temperature analog voltage with a pre-set analog voltage which represent a desired set-point temperature. The comparing result, also called error signal, is used for controlling the polarity and magnitude of an H-bridge driving engine to drive a TEC module on which the target object is mounted.
    3. Q: What are the critical circuit blocks in a TEC controller?
    A: A TEC controller is consisted in these circuit blocks: temperature sensing, error amplification, thermal loop compensation, and output stage, The temperature sensing circuit needs to have high precision, low noise, and high stability. The error applification needs to have high amplification gain and, at the same time, low offset error, and high stability. The compensation network is the most critical block, it needs to match the thermal load precisely and balance the nonlinear controdict effects between heating and cooling. The output stage must have high power capability and high efficiency.
    4. Q: What are the specialties of the Analog Technologies' TEC controllers?
    A: Analog Technologies, Inc. (ATI), has been in business since 1997 and developing and manufacturing TEC controllers for over two decades of years. It has a few innovative designs and was rewarded by a few US patents. These designs enables ATI to achieve high stability, high efficiency, small size, and low cost simultaniously.
    5. Q: Do ATI's TEC controllers come with SMT versions?
    A: Yes, we do provide SMT (Surface Mount Technologies) type packaging, but do not recommend using such a design. This is because SMT decreases the reliability and degrade the thermal dissipation capability.
    6. Q: How Long ATI warranties its TEC Controllers?
    A: We give 30 days unconditional warranty and 10 years conditional warranty. That is, within 30 days, you can return the TEC controllers or exchange other types, excluding custom designed and made products. Within 10 years after buying the product, ATI gives free replacement units after the customers sending back the old bad units - provided that the controllers have been used properly.
    7. Q: What is the Best Way to Fine Tune the Compensation Network?
    A: Tuning the compensation network precisely to match the thermal load is critical for achieving high temperature stability and response speed. We recommend using the TEC controller evaluation board to do the tuning which comes with an adjustable compensation network.
    8. Q: Why does the actual temperature of the target object fluctate with ambient temperature change or ambient air flow fluctuate?
    A: In most cases, this happens when the thermal compensation network does not match the characteristics of the thermal load well. Fine tuning the compensation network will solve the problem.
    9. Q: Why my system takes too long a time to reach the set-point temperature?
    A: There are 2 possible reasons: A. The TEC does not have too much thermal power thus it takes long to reach the set-point temperature. When this is the case, the TEC controller drives the TEC at its maximum full cooling or heating voltage, i.e., you will see a straight line when measuring the voltage across the TEC. B. The thermal compensation network does not match the characteristics of the thermal load. When this happens, the voltage across the TEC appears to be oscillating, the voltage value goes up and down, the the palarity toggels back and forth.
    10. Q: What are the specialties of of ATI's TEC controllers?
    A: ATI's TEC controllers utilizes a patented H-bridge which uses low component count and consumes less power, the result is: high efficiency, smaller size, and low cost thus low price. In addition, ATI's controllers are completely potted at a vaccum chamber, to ensure consistant thermal conduction from inside out, and is ready for space applications. The grounded metal case blocks EMI from getting in and out of the TEC controllers.
    11. Q: Are ATI's TEC controllers shielded?
    A: Yes, they are completely shielded by gold coated metal housing, it prevents the EMI from coming out the controllers and, at the same time, it also blocks outside EMI's from going into the controllers to interfere the internal electronics.
    12. Q: How the TEC controller temperature range is determined?
    A: The TEC controller, TEC-A1-xV-xV, has an internal temperature network which reads the resistance of a standard 10k thermistor, convert the resistance into an output voltage on the TEMP pin which is proportional to the temperature of the thermistor. The networt convert the temperature into the voltage in such a way that when the temperature is 15C, the TEMP voltage is 0V; when the temperature is 35C, the TEMP voltage is 3V.

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