A theoretical investigation to optimize thermoelectric cooling modules is performed using a novel onedimensional
analytic model. In the model the optimum current, which maximizes the COP of a thermoelectric
cooling module, is determined by the cooling capacity of a thermoelement, the hot and cold side
temperatures, the thermal and electrical contact resistances and the properties of thermoelectric material,
but not by the length of a thermoelement. The optimum length of a thermoelement can be easily
obtained using the optimum current. The effects of the thermal and electrical contact resistances, the
cooling capacity of a thermoelement and the cold side temperature on the maximum COP, the optimum
electric current and the optimum thermoelement length are shown