Peltier Device Information Directory
(Thermoelectric Cooler/Heater/Generator Modules)
1) General Information on Peltier Devices ------ You are here.
2) Peltier Device Manufacturers- All known TE module manufacturers.
3) Thermoelectric Power Generators- Links to manufacturers & FAQs.
4) Surplus Peltier Device Sources- Where to buy one or two.
5) Peltier Device Support & Accessories- Power Supplies, Controllers, Test Equipment.
6) Peltier-based Products
7) Peltier Device Raw Material Suppliers & Processors- Bi, Te, wafers, ingots, crystals, etc.
8) Peltier Photos
9) Thermal Interface Materials- Greases, pads and epoxies.
10) Principles of Thermoelectrics. - Just published! A new thermoelectricity text.
11) Essential Books.. - The Best Thermoelectricity, Cooling & Overclocking Books
12) Thermal Design & Analysis Software.
13) Peltier Device Information Directory Index
14) Privacy Policy
15) Add your company
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Introduction...
Peltier devices, also known as thermoelectric (TE) modules, are small
solid-state devices that function as heat pumps. A \"typical\" unit is a few
millimeters thick by a few millimeters to a few centimeters square. It is
a sandwich formed by two ceramic plates with an array of small Bismuth
Telluride cubes (\"couples\") in between. When a DC current is applied heat
is moved from one side of the device to the other - where it must be removed
with a heatsink. The \"cold\" side is commonly used to cool an electronic
device such as a microprocessor or a photodetector. If the current is
reversed the device makes an excellent heater.
As with any device, TE modules work best when applied properly. They are not
meant to serve as room air conditioners. They are best suited to smaller
cooling applications, although they are used in applications as large as
portable picnic-type coolers. They can be stacked to achieve lower
temperatures, although reaching cryogenic temperatures would require great care.
They are not very \"efficient\" and can draw amps of power. This disadvantage is
more than offset by the advantages of no moving parts, no Freon refrigerant, no
noise, no vibration, very small size, long life, capability of precision
temperature control, etc.
The reader is directed to the following excellent sources of information on
Peltier devices from the manufacturers themselves:
http://www.tellurex.com/resource/txfaq.htmhttp://www.marlow.com/faq.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/faq.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/handbook.htmhttp://www.ferrotec-america.com/3refframe.htmhttp://www.sirec-it.com/faq.htmMisc Thermoelectric Device Info & Tips...
Peltier & Seebeck Effects...
The cooling property of these devices is due to the Peltier Effect, while
the electrical power generating property is due to the Seebeck Effect.
A thermoelectric module can be used as either a cooler or a power generator, but
not with the best efficiency. Peltier Effect coolers are almost always
constructed with Bismuth Telluride (Bi2Te3) and used
around room temperature
and below. Seebeck Effect power generators are often constructed of PbTe or,
SiGe as well as Bi2Te3 and are used at much higher
temperatures.
Rate of Temperature Change...
Peltier device cooling & heating speed - they can change temperature extremely
quickly, but to avoid damage from thermal expansion control the rate of change
to about 1 degree C per second.
Heat AND Cool...
These things can heat as well as cool? Yes - they make great heaters. Just
reverse the polarity of the power supply! But, be sure not to exceed the
temperature rating of the module, usually 80C for standard models to 200C
for high temperature models.
Power Supply Requirements...
What are the power supply requirements? A simple DC supply is fine if the AC
ripple is not more than about 10% or 15%. Don\'t exceed the specified Vmax of
the module.
Temperature Control...
How can I control the amount of cooling? Marlow does not recommend ON/OFF
control, while other manufacturers don\'t seem to object to this. Varying the
power supply voltage works. Pulse width modulation can be used, but a frequency
above 1 KHz (Marlow) or 2 KHz (Tellurex) is recommended (watch out for EMI!)
It\'s best to use some kind of temperature sensor feedback (thermistor or
solid-state sensor) and a closed-loop control circuit.
See Peltier Device Support & Accessory Manufacturers for commercially
available controllers. If you would like to build your own controller then
check out a Design Note on the Unitrode (now TI) UC3638 H-bridge motor
controller chip:
http://www-s.ti.com/sc/psheets/slua202/slua202.pdf, and, the
Microsemi LX1810 TEC controller IC. This is a single supply
PWM full-bridge (cool and heat) chip. An evaluation board is available -
http://www.microsemi.com. Moisture Concerns...
If a TE module is to be used to cool anywhere near freezing one has to be very
concerned about water condensation. Ever-present water vapor begins to drop out
of the air at the \"Dew Point.\" This will result in the TE module, and what it
is being used to cool, to get wet. Moisture inside of the TE module will cause
corrosion and can result in a short-circuit. Solutions to this problem are to
operate the TE module in a vacuum (best) or a dry nitrogen atmosphere, or to
insulate or seal the module so well that no moisture can enter. One could seal
the edges of the TE module with RTV silicone sealant, but some manufacturers
recommend against this technique as water vapor can migrate through silicone
sealant and become trapped inside of the module. As a solution Tellurex offers
a polyamide epoxy sealant, TE Tech has a special potting material, and Nord has
a special coating. If the TE module is being used to cool, for example, an
energized electrical device to 0oC there is still the issue of
preventing water condensing on that device and causing corrosion, a short
circuit or electrical leakage.
Module Testing...
Can you test a TE module with an ohmmeter? No - the DC voltage that an standard
ohmmeter applies will cause a temperature change (Peltier Effect) which will in
turn cause a voltage to be generated (Seebeck Effect) which will cause the
ohmmeter to read goofy (drifting, and even a \'negative\' resistance. So, then
use the \"diode test\" position on the ohmmeter? No - even though a TE module is
constructed of an array of N and P doped semiconductors there isn\'t an actual
diode junction. A resistance test can be made with an LCR meter which
measures resistance using an AC voltage. Using a HP 4274A LCR meter I have
measured a few ohms for small modules and a fraction of an ohm for larger ones.
While one does not usually see the resistance parameter specified on
manufacturer\'s data sheets it is probably not a bad of a check of a module\'s
health, especially if more sophisticated test methods are not available.
Heatsink Grease...
Heat must be transfered from the object being cooled (or heated) to the
Peltier module, and heat must be transfered from the Peltier module to the
heatsink. Realistically, the interface between the Peltier module surfaces
to the object being cooled and to the heatsink will not be perfect. There
will be peaks and valleys in the surfaces resulting in tiny air pockets
which conduct heat poorly. It is common to place a \"thermal interface
material\" (TIM) between the Peltier module surfaces and what it\'s mated to.
One could write a book on TIMs alone. There are silicone-based greases,
elastomeric pads, thermally conductive tapes, thermally conductive adhesives,
and so on. Suffice it to say that old-fashioned zinc oxide silicone heatsink
grease is still one of the most popular materials, albeit a bit messy.
There are better performing materials. Keep in mind that the object is
to fill microscopic surface imperfections, which requires a thin film of
heatsink grease. Don\'t apply this stuff with a trowel - it doesn\'t conduct
heat as well as metal-to-metal (or metal-to-ceramic) contact. Think thin
film.
TE modules can be purchased with one or both sides metallized, or metallized
and pre-tinned. This allows soldering the heatsink and/or the object being
cooled to the thermoelectric module for the ultimate in heat transfer.
One needs to bear in mind that materials expand and contract with temperature
change and not to mount the TE module in such a way that it can\'t move slightly
with temperature change - otherwise it may crack under the stress.
More info on Thermal Interface Materials.
Heatsink Required!...
Finally, always remember that Peltier devices don\'t cool by making heat
magically disappear! They move the heat from one side to the other - where
you must remove it with a heatsink.
Misc Thermoelectric Device Links...
The International Thermoelectric Society, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the advancement of the thermoelectric industry, science &
technology.
http://www.its.org/Information, consulting and analytic services for the
thermoelectric and energy conversion communities:
http://www.zts.com/Consulting, research, testing, publications:
Cardiff Thermoelectric Group
A trade magazine about thermal management - Electronics Cooling
http://www.electronics-cooling.comTE Power Generator info:
http://www.ferrotec-america.com/3ref13.htmPeltier module primer, Gateway Electronics
http://www.gatewayelex.com/peltier.htmMicroprocessor Overclocking Info:
http://www.overclockers.comhttp://www.heatsink-guide.comUsenet newsgroup alt.comp.hardware.overclocking
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Copyright © 1999-2001 Steve J. Noll All Rights Reserved.
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