Terms & Definitions
Qcmax = Maximum amount of heat that can be absorbed at the cold side. This occurrs at I = Imax and when DT = 0. (in Watts)
Qc = Amount of heat that can be absorbed at the cold side face of the TEC (in watts)
Imax = Input Amps that produce the maximum DT [DTmax] (in Amps) Do not Exceed this Amperage!
I = Input Amps to the TEC (in Amps)
Vmax= Voltage at I = Imax (in Volts)
DTmax = Maximum difference in temperature a TEC can achieve between the hot side (Th) and the cold side (Tc). This occurrs at I = Imax and when Qc = 0. (in °C)
DT = Difference in temperature between the hot side (Th) and the cold side (Tc). dT = Th-Tc (in °C)
Th= Temperature of the hot side face of the TEC (in °C)
Tc= Temperature of the cold side face of the TEC (in °C)
ACR= A measurement of the TECs internal resistance using a 1000Hz AC input signal. TECs resistance can only be measured using an LCR meter or other specialized equipment (in ohms)
N= The number of couples within the TEC. Each couple is one P type pellet and one N type pellet.
TEG = Acronym for Thermo Electric Generator. Also known as a Seebeck generator
Pg300 = Power generated (in watts) by the TEG with a hot side of 300°C and a cold side of 30°C and at load matched condition.
Ig300 = Amps generated by the TEG with a hot side of 300°C and a cold side of 30°C and at load matched condition.
Vg300 = Volts generated by the TEG with a hot side of 300°C and a cold side of 30°C and at load matched condition.
Pgmax = The maximum power that can be generated (in watts) by the TEG at load matched condition.
Igmax = The maximum amperage that can be generated (in amps) by the TEG at load matched condition.
Vgmax = The maximum voltage that can be generated (in volts) by the TEG at load matched condition.
VOC@30 = Open Circuit Volts generated by the TEG with a delta T of 30°C.
ISC@30 = Short Circuit Amps generated by the TEG with a delta T of 30°C.
PML@30 = Power generated (in watts) by the TEG with a delta T of 30°C and at load matched condition.
RInt = Internal Resistance. This is the same as ACR and TEG Resistance below. The resistance of the TEG is measured with a special sinusoidal input device such as an LCR or AC milliommeter. Typical handheld multimeters are NOT capable of properly measuring this resistance.
Tmax = The maximum temperature the TEG can be exposed to, either generating or idle.
ACR = Acronym for AC Resistance. This is the same as TEG Resistance below. The resistance of the TEG is measured with a special sinusoidal input device such as an LCR or AC milliommeter. Typical handheld multimeters are NOT capable of properly measuring this resistance.
Watts output = Amount of power generated by the TEG at load matched condition. Typically shown in a graph at various hot side and cold side temperatures (in Watts)
Volts output = Amount of voltage generated by the TEG at load matched condition. Typically shown in a graph at various hot side and cold side temperatures (in Volts)
Open Circuit Volts output = Amount of voltage generated by the TEG with NO load connected. Typically shown in a graph at various hot side and cold side temperatures (in Volts)
Amps output = Amount of amperage generated by the TEG at load matched condition. Typically shown in a graph at various hot side and cold side temperatures (in Amps)
TEG Resistance = A measurement of the TEGs internal resistance. The TEG resistance will increase as the TEG temperature increases. Typically shown in a graph at various hot side and cold side temperatures (in ohms)
Load Matched = TEGs will deliver the maximum Power output (Volts x Amps) when the load resistance equals the TEGs internal resistance. This is called load matching or impedance matching
Load = A “Load” is any device that is connected to the TEG that will consume power generated by the TEG. It can be many things such as a motor, LED, light bulb, electronics, a battery (being charged), etc.
N= The number of couples within the TEG. Each couple is one P type pellet and one N type pellet.