So the failure mode would most probably be a condition where
the oscillator won't start? ie. Straight DC on the XTAL lines?

Is the only advantage to using a crystal, the better accuracy?

Craig

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Dave VanHorn
> Sent: November 12, 1998 1:03 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: Crystal fault symptoms.
>
>
> Craig Lee wrote:
> >
> > I have been using xtals in development for some
> > time now without the external caps.
> >
> > I was wondering what the fault symptoms might be if they were
> left out in a design.
> > Anybody have some experiences to share here?
> > Could the oscillator fail to start?
> > Any opinions whether a resonator is more reliable?
>
>
> It's not a matter of reliability, those caps are REQUIRED for a paralell
> resonant oscillator design.
> You may certainly see cases where it dosen't start without them, but
> this isn't the xtal's fault.
> Obviously you had enough parasitic capacitance in your prototypes to let
> those specific crystals start in those specific circuits, but if you put
> this into production, you better invest in a plane ticket to the
> production facility, a bag of caps, and a good soldering iron.
> Leaving the caps off is a Bad Idea.
>