TEC Terms

Qc_max = 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)

I_max = Input Amps that produce the maximum DT [DTmax] (in Amps) Do not Exceed this Amperage!

I = Input Amps to the TEC (in Amps)

V_max= Voltage at I = Imax (in Volts)

DT_max = Maximum difference in temperature a TEC can achieve between the hot side (T_h) and the cold side (T_c). This occurrs at I = Imax and when Qc = 0. (in °C)

DT = Difference in temperature between the hot side (T_h) and the cold side (T_c). dT = T_h-T_c (in °C)

T_h= Temperature of the hot side face of the TEC (in °C)

T_c= 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 Terms

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.

Pg_max = The maximum power that can be generated (in watts) by the TEG at load matched condition.

Ig_max = The maximum amperage that can be generated (in amps) by the TEG at load matched condition.

Vg_max = The maximum voltage that can be generated (in volts) by the TEG at load matched condition.

V_OC@30 = Open Circuit Volts generated by the TEG with a delta T of 30°C.

I_SC@30 = Short Circuit Amps generated by the TEG with a delta T of 30°C.

P_ML@30 = Power generated (in watts) by the TEG with a delta T of 30°C and at load matched condition.

R_Int = 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.

T_max = 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.