AC-DC voltage transfer difference due to Seebeck effect in thermal converters

Abstract

The thermoelectric transfer difference of Thermal Converters (TCs) can be evaluated in both current mode and voltage mode, using a fast-reversed dc (FRDC) source. Some types of TCs show differences in the thermoelectric transfer difference between voltage and current mode as large as some parts in 10/sup 6/. In order to investigate the origin of the discrepancy, the change of the thermoelectric transfer difference with the value of a resistor in series with the thermal converter has been measured. The result was in good agreement with an assumption that the Seebeck effect in the heater/heater support junction is the main source of the voltage transfer difference.