Thermoelectric terminology in metrology and standards

In metrology and standards, thermoelectricity is most often associated with thermometry. Therefore, this paper emphasizes thermoelectricity in thermometry and it focuses on the Seebeck effect. Yet, the thermoelectric terminology applies generally to all the diverse areas in which Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson thermoelectric effects are encountered. The literature of thermoelectricity is cluttered with false notions and inapt terminology. This paper attempts to discriminate between authentic and spurious views of thermoelectricity as they relate to thermometry. As inappropriate models and nomenclature can degrade the quality of thermometry in practice, the goals of this paper are: (1) to illustrate the commonplace contradictions between some present day thermoelectric definitions and terminology, (2) to present a consistent rational basis for thermoelectric terminology, (3) to offer a general, physically realistic, and internally consistent set of definitions of the field of applied thermoelectricity, and (4) to describe practical consequences of inappropriate terminology. 26 refs., 1 tab.