  Considering a system composed of two different thermoelectric modules
electrically and thermally connected in parallel, we demonstrate that the
inhomogeneities of the thermoelectric properties of the materials may cause the
appearance of an electrical current, which develops inside the system. We show
that this current increases the effective thermal conductance of the whole
system. We also discuss the significance of a recent finding concerning a
reported new electrothermal effect in inhomogeneous bipolar semiconductors, in
light of our results.
