This paper presents a detailed investigation on temperature overshoot characteristic of a realistic thermoelectric module (TEM) that operated with a square current pulse. A numerical model for TEM is developed and validated. Based on the model, obtained simulation results reveal that the transient temperature variation of realistic TEM cold side is more moderate due to the effect of the metal strips and the ceramic plates. Furthermore, the temperature overshoot characteristic of TEM cold side is analyzed for different current pulse parameters and operation conditions. For the square current pulse operation, the temperature overshoot occurs only when the current pulse amplitude is greater than a critical value, which is jointly determined by original steady current, cooling load and thermal conductance of heat sink. From the results obtained here, we propose a general principle to make a judgment whether a temperature overshoot will occur under a square current pulse operation. The present study will provide beneficial guidance for design of a TEM under current pulse operations. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.