Precise temperature control without refrigerant or moving parts

Peltier elements, commonly referred to as TECs in electrical engineering, can be used for both cooling and heating. They operate regardless of their installation position and always without coolant. However, they require smart control to ensure their virtually unlimited operational capability. Elec-Con, a Passau-based development house for customized power electronics up to 1 kVA, now introduces the sophisticated EtecPro universal controller for Peltier elements up to 240 W. Customized adaptations are possible at any time.

The EtecPro universal Peltier controller from Elec-Con essentially operates like a thermally controlled power source. The actual value for the control is provided by a temperature sensor. To enable universal use, the controller operates on both 110 V and 230 V power systems. The most common application is to precisely maintain a specific temperature level, regardless of whether the ambient temperature is below or above the setpoint temperature. This ensures that drinks in mini-fridges always remain optimally chilled – and that tissue and organs are preserved.

Peltier elements are therefore being used more and more frequently. They operate completely silently, have no moving parts, and function reliably in any installation position. They are also lightweight and do not contain (flammable) gases or liquids, which greatly simplifies their use in cars and aircraft. Both the cooling or heating performance of a Peltier element and its losses depend on the current flowing through it. While the heating or cooling performance increases linearly with the current, the heat loss increases quadratically with the current. In addition, if Peltier elements are only switched on and off abruptly via simple thermal switches, they age rapidly, resulting in premature failure.

Peltier cooling elements operate completely silently and are therefore a direct replacement for absorbers, such as those used in minibars, but also in mobile offices. Even with single-stage elements, a temperature difference of up to 70 K can be achieved between the "warm" and "cold" sides of the Peltier element. The better the warm side is cooled, the lower the temperature that can be achieved on the cold side.

Although Peltier elements generally have a rather modest efficiency, they are generally significantly superior to compressor or absorber solutions for small-scale applications. Furthermore, the effort required to detect leaks in the cooling circuit is eliminated.

The EtecPro can optionally be equipped with communication interfaces. Likewise, the control behavior can be adapted to the application over a wide range. Custom-made connection cables round out Elec-Con's product range. The Passau-based company's own pre-compliance EMC laboratory supports system integration into complex environments.