Thermo-electric Modules

Technical information

Handling Precautions for Thermo-electric Modules

Precautions for Use

  • 1. Be sure to check the positive and negative terminals. If you are not sure, check them on the specification drawings available on our membership website (free registration required). If you cannot find the specification drawings on the website, please contact us.
  • 2. The recommended maximum operating temperature of our thermo-electric modules is 135℃ or below (instantaneous temperature limit is 200℃). If a thermo-electric module is used under temperature conditions exceeding the recommended maximum operating temperature, the devices inside the thermo-electric module may deteriorate earlier.
  • 3. There is a maximum value of cooling efficiency of a thermo-electric module with respect to the current (voltage) value. However, the value does not correspond to Imax (maximum current) or Vmax (maximum voltage) in the catalog. If you are not sure, check them on the specification drawings and characteristic diagrams available on our membership website (free registration required). If you cannot find the specification drawings or characteristic diagrams on the website, please contact us. Exceeding the maximum current or voltage shall void the warranty.
  • 4. Any water or conductive liquid entering inside the thermo-electric module may cause a short circuit, performance degradation, or damage of the thermo-electric module. When using the product in an environment where it may easily be exposed to moisture, we recommend that you use a seal type product.
  • 5. Multistage thermo-electric modules cannot be used for polarity inversion applications. Make sure to use them only for cooling applications.
  • 6. Thermal strain of any unit such as the heat sink may add pressure on the module due to unbalanced load, which may damage the module. Please ensure proper design and installation.
  • 7. Thermo-electric modules are relatively resistant to compressive stress (when evenly loaded) but have a low tolerance for tensile stress. Therefore, avoid any design in which a thermo-electric module serves as a mechanical structural member.

Handling Precautions for Thermo-electric Modules

  • 1. Do not bend or pull an end of the lead wire forcefully. Do not lift the module by holding the lead wire. Doing so may break the lead wire.
  • 2. Do not apply power to the thermo-electric module without installing any heat exchanger such as a heat sink. Doing so raises the temperature of the thermo-electric module, which may cause burns or damage of the thermo-electric module.
  • 3. Before installing the thermo-electric module, clean the surfaces of the cooling plate and heat sink that will come into contact with the thermo-electric module. If any contact surface is stained, the thermo-electric module may not show its maximum performance due to low heat conductivity or defective bonding.
  • 4. When applying heat conductive grease to the contact surface between the thermo-electric module and the cooling plate or heat sink, make sure that the layer of heat conductive grease is not contaminated with air. Any air in the grease layer inhibits heat conduction, preventing the thermo-electric module from showing its maximum performance.
  • 5. Use a milling machine to flatten the surfaces of the cooling plate and heat sink that will come into contact with the thermo-electric module. Any contact surface that is not flat enough inhibits heat conduction, preventing the thermo-electric module from showing its maximum performance. It may also cause damage of the thermo-electric module.
  • 6. When you need to remove the thermo-electric module after installing it, apply a force to gradually slide it sideways instead of trying to pull it out vertically. Note that using a pointed tool may damage the interior of the thermo-electric module. If the heat conductive grease is hardened, heat it to reduce its viscosity for easy removal.
  • 7. The recommended storage conditions are temperature 0 to 30℃ and humidity 60%RH or less.
  • 8. Multistage thermo-electric modules cannot be used for polarity inversion applications. Make sure to use them only for cooling applications.