How does a TEC Controller work?

There are numerous systems like Optical telecommunication, electronics, biomedical and networking where TEC is used to maintain an integrated circuit or the laser load at the constant temperature for reliability and the performance of whole system directly.

How does a TEC controller work?

TEC means “Thermoelectric Cooler” that can produce both heating and cooling with the use of peltier effect. TEC can transport heat form one of its surfaces to another in such a way that heating and cooling depends on the magnitude and direction of electric current that is flowing through it. It has two ceramic sides sandwiched with peltier elements. When dc voltage is applied, these elements produce dc current in one direction, and one of the two plates get hot and the other one gets cold.

Closed loop controller and TEC controller:

Temperature controllers are used to keep stability in given temperature. These controllers are used when an object is required to be heated, cooled or both and to stay on targeted temperature, despite of the changes in the environment around it. There are two types of controller; open loop and close loop. Open loop applies continues heating or cooling without considering the actual temperature output. Closed loop controller is more complex than open loop; the output temperature is measured constantly and modified to maintain a steady output at the given temperature. TEC controller compares the current temperature of

an object to the desire value and provides the thermoelectric element with the fair amount of current.

What are the advanced features of TEC?

TEC or peltier controller has many advanced features stability indication and auto tune (self-optimization). Some TEC controller systems are dual channel that offers two independent controllers for controlling the laser diode temperature thus, the oscillated current of each channel will deliver smooth and unbroken ripple free output. This will generate lesser disturbance to any equipment.

So, this was the general description about TEC controllers, I hope you find this article informative.