When selecting a cooling solution for precision electronic equipment, thermoelectric cooling chips may be better for your devices than traditional heat sinks. They are more compact and offer precise temperature control. This article provides more information about thermoelectric cooling chips, and you can read it before making your decision.
What is the Thermoelectric Cooling Chip？
Thermoelectric cooling(TEC) chips are active cooling devices. They use the absorption and release of heat via electric current to achieve cooling. Compared to traditional cooling methods that rely on compressors, fans, or refrigerants, they have a compact design and produce no noise or vibration.
Additionally, they offer more precise temperature control, so they are a good choice for cooling precision electronic equipment. You can use them in sensors, consumer electronics, and more.
Advantages of Thermoelectric Cooling Chips
Precise and Efficient Temperature Control
Thermoelectric cooling chips actively regulate temperature in real time to keep your device within the normal operating range at all times. They cool faster than traditional air-cooling systemsin low-to-moderate heat load applications and offer greater precision (up to ±0.1°C). As a result, you can use them in temperature-sensitive devices to minimize temperature fluctuations and improve operational stability.
Wider Cooling Temperature Range
Thermoelectric cooling chips do not rely on the environment’s air for cooling. They can cool temperatures below ambient levels. This is something that neither conventional air cooling nor heat pipes can achieve. One side of a thermoelectric cooling chip is very cold, while the other is very hot. So if you are selecting a cooling solution for devices that require heating, such as PCR instruments or car seats, it can reduce the space and cost of the heater.
Lightweight Design
Thermoelectric cooling chips do not have complex mechanical components such as compressors, and they are smaller and lighter. You can choose ultra-thin thermoelectric cooling chips for your products, as they can be easily integrated into compact designs such as PCBs. It is advisable for you to use thermoelectric cooling chips as a cooling solution for high-density electronic products, portable devices, and embedded systems.
Low Noise and Vibration
Thermoelectric cooling chips have no moving parts, making them quieter and vibration-free. When used in optical instruments, laboratory equipment, and similar applications, thermoelectric cooling chips help prevent vibrations from affecting equipment accuracy and component lifespan, thereby improving operational stability and reducing noise.
Maintenance-Free
Thanks to the highly reliable design of thermoelectric cooling chips, they are less prone to failures caused by leakage, wear, or fatigue. As a result, they are a good choice for continuous-operation systems, helping to minimize downtime and improve heat dissipation efficiency. Therefore, selecting thermoelectric cooling chips for your products allows your products to achieve maintenance-free operation and a long service life, thereby reducing operating costs.
Applications of the Thermoelectric Cooling Chip
Electronics Cooling
Thermoelectric cooling chips are very suitable for heat dissipation in high-precision electronic devices, including CPUs, GPUs, CMOS circuits, and communication modules. Not only do they maintain the best operating temperatures and improve device performance, but they also improve signal stability.
Although they are not designed for high-power heat dissipation, they are a good choice for portable devices and temperature-sensitive components.
Laser and Photonics Systems
Thanks to the high-precision temperature control and continuous operation capabilities of thermoelectric cooling chips, they are a good choice for cooling lasers and optical systems. They minimize temperature fluctuations, preventing performance drift caused by changes in laser wavelength. Additionally, the materials used are safe and pose no risk to your sensitive precision equipment.
Medical and Laboratory Devices
PCR testing equipment and blood analyzers used in medical and laboratory settings require extremely precise temperature control to get accurate test results or maintain the best operating conditions. The use of thermoelectric cooling chips can help your products cool down more quickly, providing a stable temperature environment and resulting in reliable results.
Industrial and Automation Systems
If you are looking for a suitable cooling solution for industrial sensors, precision automation equipment, control cabinets, and similar applications, thermoelectric cooling chips not only effectively prevent damage caused by overheating but are also maintenance-free. They are good for industrial enclosures and high-reliability applications, improving production and operational efficiency while reducing operating costs.
Automotive
You can use it in automotive components such as seats, batteries, and LiDAR modules. On the one hand, it provides active cooling, offering the operational reliability of components in high-temperature environments and extending their service life. On the other hand, it also serves as a heating element. When used to heat seat components, it improves energy efficiency and saves installation space.
Consumer Products
Thermoelectric cooling chips are simple to install and easy to integrate, offering advantages in high-volume manufacturing applications such as car refrigerators and beauty cooling devices. Furthermore, thanks to their compact size and low noise levels, they offer you flexible product design and a better user experience, and achieve high cost-effectiveness.
Aerospace Applications
As a solid-state cooling solution with no moving parts, thermoelectric cooling chips offer greater reliability than other types of heat sinks in the extreme environments of aerospace applications. They can be used in infrared detectors and avionics systems to maintain signal stability and achieve long-term reliable operation under high-impact and extreme conditions.
Thermoelectric Cooling Chip vs Heat Pipes
Difference in Working Principles
How does a Thermoelectric Cooling Chip Work？
Thermoelectric cooling chips can actively absorb heat from high-temperature areas to cool them down, transferring the heat to another area by an electric current. As a result, they use more electrical energy and incur higher energy costs. However, they can cool temperatures below ambient levels, achieve more precise temperature control, and prevent temperature fluctuations. Additionally, they can offer both heating and cooling simultaneously.
How Does a Heat Pipe Work？
Heat pipes, on the other hand, passively transfer heat through evaporation and condensation to cool components after they generate heat while working. They do not require an external power source, resulting in lower energy costs. However, if you are selecting a cooling solution for temperature-sensitive precision equipment, the temperature control capabilities of heat pipes may not meet your requirements.
Difference in Features
Thermal Efficiency
Compared to thermoelectric cooling chips, heat pipes offer higher thermal conductivity, achieving faster cooling of components and the elimination of local hotspots. You can use them in high-power equipment and products with high heat dissipation requirements. Thermoelectric cooling chips, on the other hand, provide better temperature stability and are more suitable for precision equipment that requires precise temperature control.
Energy Efficiency
Thermoelectric cooling chips need a lot of electrical energy for heat dissipation, whereas heat pipes operate without using energy. Therefore, you had better not use thermoelectric cooling chips in cost-effective products.
Maintenance Requirements
Neither thermoelectric cooling chips nor heat pipes have moving parts, so they produce virtually no vibration, noise, or wear during operation. Consequently, both offer high reliability for your application. However, since heat pipes are filled with liquid, their seals and potential leaks must be inspected periodically.
Installation
You can install thermoelectric cooling chips horizontally, vertically, or at any angle without affecting their performance. Additionally, it is compact and lightweight, allowing you to use it in products with limited space. Heat pipes, on the other hand, require liquid circulation and are better for vertical installations. However, you can design them into various shapes to accommodate different layouts.
Cost
TEC chips use semiconductor materials and more sophisticated manufacturing processes, resulting in higher costs compared to heat pipes. Their operating costs are also higher. It is best for you to use it in high-end electronic devices.
How to Choose the Thermoelectric Cooling Chips for Your Application
Select Based on the Thermal Load
You need to determine the total heat that must be removed from your product during operation. And you must select a thermoelectric cooling module capable of handling that thermal load. If you choose a thermoelectric cooling module with insufficient capacity, it may result in poor cooling efficiency or an inability to reach the target temperature.
Prolonged operation at full load may shorten the module’s lifespan, so it is best to allow for some margin when making your selection. You should also avoid choosing a module with excessively high capacity, as this can increase costs and power consumption.
Set the Target Temperature
Different models of thermoelectric cooling chips can achieve different maximum temperature differentials. For example, standard models can achieve a temperature difference (ΔT) of up to 20°C below the hot side temperature, while high-performance models can achieve ΔT of 30°C or more. So you should select the one that meets your needs based on your target cooling temperature. The lower the target temperature you choose, the higher the performance requirements for the thermoelectric cooling chip.
Choose a Reliable Supplier
You should also choose a reliable supplier for the thermal management chips. You can assess whether the supplier’s products meet your industry standards by reviewing their system certifications. It is advisable to select a supplier that can provide test reports or samples for thermal management chips to avoid receiving substandard products.
Additionally, some reliable suppliers offer professional product selection services, which can help avoid the challenges of choosing the right product.
FAQs
What is COP in Thermoelectric Cooling Chips?
COP is a measure of a thermoelectric cooling chip’s energy efficiency, indicating how effectively it transfers heat. Thermoelectric cooling chips with a higher COP typically transfer heat more efficiently, resulting in lower energy costs over the long term.
What Affects the Performance of a Thermoelectric Cooling Chip?
In addition to the quality and performance specifications of the thermoelectric cooling chip, its installation and operating environment can also affect its performance. If heat dissipation at the hot end of the thermoelectric cooling chip is inadequate, its cooling capacity will decrease, or the chip may even fail. Furthermore, the input current and voltage must be within the appropriate range. Values that are too high or too low will result in poor performance.
Do Thermoelectric Cooling Chips Need a Heat Sink?
Yes, thermoelectric cooling chips must be used with a heat sink. Excessive heat will reduce the temperature difference. This results in low cooling efficiency and poor energy efficiency. You can use thermoelectric cooling chips in combination with aluminum heat sinks or heat pipe heat sinks, for example.
How to Prevent Condensation in Thermoelectric Cooling Chips?
When the cold side of a thermoelectric cooling chip becomes too cold, condensation may form. This can affect the safety or insulation performance of electronic equipment, leading to hazards such as short circuits and corrosion. You can prevent this by setting a minimum temperature using a temperature controller or by sealing and isolating the cold side. You can also use desiccants to reduce air humidity and prevent condensation.
Thermoelectric Cooling Chips vs Compressor Cooling
Thermal chips dissipate heat by conducting an electric current. In contrast, compressor-based refrigeration uses a compressor and refrigerant to achieve cooling through a cycle of evaporation and condensation. Compared to thermal chips, compressor-based refrigeration offers higher energy efficiency and greater cooling capacity. However, it also generates more noise and vibration. Additionally, thermal chips are typically smaller and lighter.
How Long is the Service Life of TEC?
Since thermoelectric cooling chips have no moving parts and do not use liquid coolants, they are less prone to damage and wear during long-term thermal cycling and can have a service life of over 20 years. However, their service life is affected by the operating environment. If you use them in high-temperature or thermal shock environments, their service life may be shortened.
Final Thoughts
Thermoelectric cooling chips offer better precision in temperature control than traditional cooling methods. If you are still unsure whether thermoelectric cooling chips are suitable for your product, GALLOP INNOTEK provides professional selection and fabrication support to help you save time and get a reliable thermal management solution.
