Thermoelectric effect is used in thermocouple to convert heat energy

to electrical energy.

Working Principle of Thermocouple

Peltier Effect – The Peltier effect is the inverse of the See back effect.
The Peltier effect state that the temperature difference can be created
between any two different conductors by applying the potential
difference between them.

Working of Thermocouple

The circuit of the thermocouple is shown in the figure below. The circuit
consists two dissimilar metals. These metals are joined together in such a
manner that they are creating two junctions. The metals are bounded to the
junction through welding.

Let the P and Q are the two junctions of the thermocouples. The T1 and
T2 are the temperatures at the junctions. As the temperature of the junctions
is different from each other, the EMF generates in the circuit.

If the temperature at the junction becomes equal, the equal and opposite
EMF generates in the circuit, and the zero current flows through it. If the
temperatures of the junction become unequal, the potential difference
induces in the circuit. The magnitude of the EMF induces in the circuit
depends on the types of material used for making the thermocouple. The
total current flowing through the circuit is measured through the measuring
devices.

The EMF induces in the thermocouple circuit is given by the equation

equation-for-thermocouples

Where Δθ – temperature difference between the hot thermocouple junction

and the reference thermocouple junction.

a, b – constants
Calculation