What Happens When You Change an Oscillator's Load Capacitance from 15pF to 30pF?

[stepa]

What happens if I'm changing load capacitance of oscillator from 15pF to 30pF.

 

[berkeman]

That will "bend" (change) the oscillation frequency slightly. You should stay with the recommended capacitance when designing a crystal oscillator -- see the crystal's datasheet for the correct capacitance to use.

 

[ravenprp]

The load capacitance of an oscillator refers to the total capacitance that is connected to the output of the oscillator. This includes the capacitance of the oscillator itself, as well as any external components such as capacitors or cables.

Changing the load capacitance of an oscillator can have a significant impact on its performance. In general, increasing the load capacitance will decrease the frequency of the oscillator, while decreasing the load capacitance will increase the frequency. This is because the load capacitance affects the resonant frequency of the oscillator circuit.

In your specific example, increasing the load capacitance from 15pF to 30pF will likely result in a decrease in the frequency of the oscillator. This is because the added capacitance will lower the resonant frequency of the circuit. This could potentially lead to a slower or less stable output signal from the oscillator.

It is important to carefully consider the load capacitance when designing an oscillator circuit, as it can greatly affect the overall performance and stability of the oscillator. Changes in the load capacitance can also affect other parameters such as phase noise and start-up time. It is recommended to consult the oscillator's datasheet or consult with a design engineer to determine the optimal load capacitance for your specific application.