Peltiertermostaatin

Peltierthermostaten, also known as thermoelectric coolers or Peltier devices, are solid-state electronic components that act as heat pumps. They operate based on the Peltier effect, a thermoelectric phenomenon where a temperature difference is created across the junction of two dissimilar conductors when an electric current is passed through it. In a Peltier device, this effect is utilized to transfer heat from one side of the device to the other.

A typical Peltier module consists of multiple pairs of p-type and n-type semiconductor elements, usually made of bismuth telluride, connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel. When a DC voltage is applied, one side of the module becomes cold (the cold side) and the other side becomes hot (the hot side). The magnitude of the temperature difference and the amount of heat that can be pumped are dependent on the current, voltage, and the physical characteristics of the module.

Peltierthermostaten find applications in various fields where precise temperature control is required without moving parts or refrigerants. These include cooling electronic components, medical devices, portable refrigerators, scientific instruments, and even in some high-performance computing systems. Their compact size, silent operation, and ability to both heat and cool by reversing the current polarity are significant advantages. However, they are generally less energy-efficient than traditional vapor-compression refrigeration systems for large-scale cooling. The efficiency is also limited by the maximum temperature difference they can achieve, a property known as the Qmax.