This study presents a new thermoelectric element modelling based on an electrical analogy. The balance equation for a node of the analogical model is equivalent to the local energetic balance of a thermoelectric element. A particular attention is paid on taking into account all the effects Peltier, Joule and Thomson. This approach leads to a noticeable modification of the performances compared to previous estimations obtained by classical approaches where the Thomson contribution is neglected and no thermo-dependence of the thermophysical properties is assumed. This analogical modelling is appropriate for description of steady states but also for transient state and for non-conventional geometries. The general behaviour of a thermoelectric leg under cooling mode is studied and the different possibilities of improving the performances are investigated. The analysis of the thermodynamical behaviour is also presented by separating the contribution of each effect. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.