A thermoelectric cooler (TEC), also known as a Peltier cooler, is a solid-state electrical device that may be configured to transport heat when current is passed through a number of semiconducting “pellets.” The pellets are typically configured in a series circuit arranged to produce a desired degree of cooling and device resistance. The direction of heat transport in a TEC may be determined by the direction of current flow through the pellets.
TECs provide a convenient and effective means of temperature control in many applications. In one such application, these devices have been used in electronics systems to reduce the operating temperature of electronic components. Such cooling is especially appropriate where system design constraints preclude the use of cooling fins or forced air flow. TECs may also be used to refrigerate a component by cooling the component below the ambient temperature. Also, by coupling the TEC to a feedback system, a TEC may be used to regulate the temperature of a device by operating in both a heating and a cooling mode.