TEC modules, also called Peltier cooler, is a compact electronic components based on semiconductor materials. When injecting a DC current in the two ends of peltier cooler, the heat will be transfer from one side of the component to the other side. It's worth mentioning that with the current direction change, the heat flow direction will be changed. Therefore, both cooling and heating can be achieved in a TEC module, which can be used to control temperature with precision.
Let's take a single stage peltier cooler as an example. Put this single stage TEC module on a heat sink and keep it in ambient temperature. Then connect it to a proper battery or DV power, the cold end temperature will be reduced to -40°C. At this time, the peltier cooler reaches a relative heat balance, and the max. temperature difference DTmax between its two ends can be achieved. If more heat will be injected to the cold end, the temperature of the cold end will increase to be equal to the hot end, and at this time, max. refrigerating output (Qmax) is achieved.
Peltier cooler and traditional mechanical cooler follow the same thermodynamic law. Although the two coolers have different forms, they have the same working principle.
To be continued...
