MESSTEC Power Converter GmbH
Operating Manual
TEC Controller
Document: 10100920OM
Revision: 1.1
Date: 10.10.2019
Page 8/71
3. TEC-Controller
In the following, main functions are explained on the basis of the block diagram figure 4.
Fig. 4: Block diagram
All connections to the TEC-Controller, except the serial interface, are realized by similar
and easy to use screw terminals. For the easy cabling no special connectors are
necessary, special tools are not required.
The power input terminal accepts voltages between 15 VDC and 50 VDC. The power
supply should have stabilized voltage outputs. Make sure, the wiring is short and has
correct polarity.
With high efficiency, the input voltage is processed by the power stage, according to the
digital temperature controller. After extensive filtering in two stages the resulting voltage
is applied to the terminal for the Peltier element. The Peltier element is driven by a DC
signal. The current ripple is below 1%. The power stage is protected by a short circuit
detector, which is implemented in hardware (no software latency).
Supplementary detailed information:
Based on the physical characteristics, every Peltier element has fundamental limitations on the
maximum temperature difference it can create between its cold and hot side. The ability to create
this maximum temperature difference is quite substantially affected by the amount of ripple current
that flows through the Peltier element, relative to the DC current.