TEC coolers essentially utilize the Peltier effect to directly convert electrical energy into thermal energy. They are a solid-state refrigeration technology that requires no mechanical motion.
Core Working Principle: Peltier Effect
When current passes through a circuit composed of two different conductive materials (usually semiconductors), the two junctions absorb and release heat, respectively. This is the Peltier effect. The operation of a TEC cooler can be broken down into three key steps:
Electron Transfer Heat Absorption: At the cooling end, electrons move from the lower-potential material to the higher-potential material, absorbing heat to overcome the energy difference and thus lowering the temperature at that end.
Current Heat Transport: The absorbed heat is carried by the current from the cooling end to the heating end, which is in contact with the heat dissipation system.
Heat Dissipation at the Heating End: The heating end releases the transferred heat. If this heat cannot be dissipated in a timely manner, the overall efficiency of the TEC will decrease or even damage it. Therefore, it must be equipped with heat dissipation components such as heat sinks and fans. TEC coolers are also reversible: by changing the direction of the current, the heat-absorbing and heat-releasing ends swap, allowing the device to switch from cooling mode to heating mode.
Due to their compact size, precise temperature control, and quiet operation, TEC coolers are widely used in applications requiring specialized cooling conditions. Core applications include:
Electronic device cooling: Cooling precision electronic components such as CPUs, GPUs, laser diodes, and infrared detectors to prevent high temperatures from affecting performance or lifespan.
Industrial temperature control: In precision instruments and sensor calibration equipment, the reversibility of TECs enables dual-mode cooling and heating, precisely controlling the target temperature (with an accuracy of ±0.1°C).
Medical and scientific research, consumer electronics, and other applications.