Forty years ago E. Altenkirch had developed a theory concerning the use of the electrothermic Peltier effect for refrigerating purposes. This theory is too much simplified in comparison with the practical difficulties and the present authors give a more detailed calculation here. First they consider the influence of non cylindric forms of the thermoelements. Secondly the new calculations demonstrate the great influence even of small contact resistances on the maximal temperature diminuition and efficiency of electrothermic cooling plants. In conclusion the authors discuss the diminuition of the practical chances of the electrothermic cooling method from the standpoint of the new detailed theory
