Principle

A Peltier element and a thermogenerator are identical in terms of their layout, but they are used for different purposes. The Peltier element consists of a block with several thermocouples that are electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel so that their thermoelectric voltages are added up. If one side of a thermocouple is colder than the other side, electric voltage is generated. If voltage is applied to a thermocouple, current flows through the component and a temperature difference results: one side becomes colder and the other side becomes warmer. The effect is called the Peltier effect.