--- title: 3 Things to Know When Buying Crystal Oscillators & Frequency Control Devices description: Learning the basics of buying crystal oscillators and frequency control devices can help you avoid frustration. Here are three things you should know. image: https://blog.bliley.com/hubfs/buying-crystal-oscillators-and-frequency-control-devices.jpg --- [![Bliley technologies](https://blog.bliley.com/hubfs/Logo_Files/Bliley-logo-dark-bgArtboard%202.svg "Bliley technologies")](https://www.bliley.com) - Solutions - [Blog](https://blog.bliley.com) - - [Buy Online](https://shop.bliley.com/) ## Inside Frequency Control # 3 Things to Know When Buying Crystal Oscillators & Frequency Control Devices Posted by [Rob Rutkowski](https://blog.bliley.com/author/rob-rutkowski) on Jul 11, 2024, 9:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![3 things to know when buying crystal oscillators and frequency control devices](https://blog.bliley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/buying-crystal-oscillators-and-frequency-control-devices.jpg?width=881&height=461&name=buying-crystal-oscillators-and-frequency-control-devices.jpg) The process of buying crystal oscillators can be a headache if you don't know what to expect. But learning the basics of how to procure frequency control devices can help you plan accordingly and reduce your frustration.  There are three main things you should know about crystal oscillators and frequency control devices when ordering them: 1. They have long lead times 2. They typically have a long shelf life 3. They have large purchased lot sizes Let's dive a little deeper into each of these to give you a better idea of how they'll impact your purchasing strategy. We'll keep this blog short and to the point, but if you want to learn more, we've included links to our more in-depth articles on each topic. ## 1. Long Lead Times You should expect long lead times when it comes to frequency control devices, especially with custom orders. This is typically to allow time for [aging the oscillators](https://blog.bliley.com/ocxo-lead-times) and [exacting the frequency](https://blog.bliley.com/activity-dips-frequency-perturbations-crystal-oscillators), as both take a lot of time to perfect. The common lead time in the frequency control industry is between 8 to 12 weeks, but it can be longer or shorter. Be sure to contact the manufacturer or supplier well in advance to get an idea of what to expect. Related: [OCXO Lead Times Explained: How Aging Factors into OCXO Development](https://blog.bliley.com/ocxo-lead-times) ## 2. Long Shelf Life Crystal oscillators typically have a long [shelf life](https://blog.bliley.com/oscillator-aging-ocxos-shelf-life), which means you don't have to worry about excess inventory expiring. Frequency control devices should still work many years after purchase. This causes less risk with older products. Some industry suppliers won't hold frequency control products that are over a two-year shelf life, but a device's shelf life varies and can often be up to 20 years. It's always important to test the timing or oscillator device before use. [Talking with the frequency control manufacturer](https://blog.bliley.com/questions-choosing-crystal-oscillator-supplier) about a specific product's shelf life is also recommended. Related: [Oscillator Aging: How Long Is an OCXO's Shelf Life?](https://blog.bliley.com/oscillator-aging-ocxos-shelf-life) ## 3. Large Purchased Lot Sizes Crystal oscillator manufacturers and suppliers are known for having [large purchasing lot sizes](https://blog.bliley.com/ordering-ocxos-in-large-batches) for standardized parts (but not necessarily for custom parts). This improves fulfillment responsiveness because more product is able to be housed for longer periods of time, allowing you to receive products faster.  Large lot sizes helps lower the price of frequency control devices, due to economies of scale and a reduced inventory storage burden on the manufacturer. They can also make providing blanket orders easier and more timely for the manufacturer (and you). Related: [3 Reasons to Order OCXOs in Large Batches](https://blog.bliley.com/ordering-ocxos-in-large-batches) ## Supplying Frequency Control Devices Since 1930 At Bliley, we pride ourselves on providing the best radio frequency and timing solutions in the universe. [Explore our full line of crystal oscillators and frequency control devices](https://www.bliley.com/products).  We hope understanding the three considerations above helps you make crystal oscillator purchases with more confidence than ever before.  **Want to learn more?** Download our free [oscillator procurement checklist](https://resources.bliley.com/en/best-crystal-oscillator-procurement-practices-checklist), which includes nine best practices that make buying crystal oscillators as easy as possible.  [![9 best crystal oscillator procurement practices checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2222150/e3d714cd-2c5d-47de-a20e-0c115e7972e7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2222150/e3d714cd-2c5d-47de-a20e-0c115e7972e7)   *\[Editor's note: This article was originally published on May 27, 2020 and was updated on July 11, 2024.\]* Topics: [crystal oscillators](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/crystal-oscillators), [Clocks & Crystals](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/clocks-crystals) Search for a Topic Search [![GPSDO Oscillator Infrastructure Ebook.png](https://blog.bliley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/GPSDO%20Oscillator%20Infrastructure%20Ebook.png?width=240&name=GPSDO%20Oscillator%20Infrastructure%20Ebook.png "GPSDO Oscillator Infrastructure Ebook.png")](https://resources.bliley.com/gpsdo-oscillator-white-paper-gps) ### Subscribe... get an eBook! ### Categories - [crystal oscillators (68)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/crystal-oscillators) - [RF Technology (63)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/rf-technology) - [Space & Satellites (43)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/space-satellites) - [engineering (38)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/engineering) - [general (38)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/general) - [Defense & PNT (26)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/defense-pnt) - [General Topics (26)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/general-topics) - [Press Release (22)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/press-release) - [Clocks & Crystals (20)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/clocks-crystals) - [Military & Defense (17)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/military-defense) - [aerospace (17)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/aerospace) - [Leadership (16)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/leadership) - [Integrated RF (14)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/integrated-rf) - [GPS & GNSS (9)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/gps-gnss) - [Engineering Equiptment (7)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/engineering-equiptment) - [5G (6)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/5g) - [IoT (6)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/iot) - [Filters & Multiplexers (1)](https://blog.bliley.com/topic/filters-multiplexers) See all ### See What's Popular ### Most Recent [Creepy Radio Frequencies: The Scariest Sounds in Space](https://blog.bliley.com/creepy-sounds-from-space) posted on 8/30/21 6:30 AM ![creepy radio frequencies: the scariest sounds in space](https://blog.bliley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/creepy-radio-frequencies-the-scariest-sounds-in-space.jpg?width=100&height=50&name=creepy-radio-frequencies-the-scariest-sounds-in-space.jpg) [Clipped Sine Wave Oscillators: TCXOs & Their Common Applications](https://blog.bliley.com/clipped-sine-wave-oscillators-tcxos) posted on 8/30/21 6:30 AM ![clipped sine wave oscillators tcxos and their common applications](https://blog.bliley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/clipped-sine-wave-oscillators-tcxos-and-their-common-applications.jpg?width=100&height=50&name=clipped-sine-wave-oscillators-tcxos-and-their-common-applications.jpg) [RF PCB Design Considerations: RF Circuit Board Layout Guidelines](https://blog.bliley.com/rf-pcb-design) posted on 8/30/21 6:30 AM ![rf pcb design considerations rf circuit board layout guidelines](https://blog.bliley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rf-pcb-design-considerations-rf-circuit-board-layout-guidelines.jpg?width=100&height=50&name=rf-pcb-design-considerations-rf-circuit-board-layout-guidelines.jpg) [3 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Crystal Oscillator Manufacturer](https://blog.bliley.com/questions-for-crystal-oscillator-manufacturers) posted on 8/30/21 6:30 AM ![3 questions to ask before choosing a crystal oscillator manufacturer](https://blog.bliley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3-questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-crystal-oscillator-manufacturer.jpg?width=100&height=50&name=3-questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-crystal-oscillator-manufacturer.jpg) [CMOS vs. LVCMOS: Which Is the Best Output Signal for Your Application?](https://blog.bliley.com/cmos-lvcmos-best-output-signal) posted on 8/30/21 6:30 AM ![cmos vs lvcmos which is the best output signal for your application](https://blog.bliley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cmos-vs-lvcmos-which-is-the-best-output-signal-for-your-application.jpg?width=100&height=50&name=cmos-vs-lvcmos-which-is-the-best-output-signal-for-your-application.jpg) ##### Disclosure: This blog contains product affiliate links to help support the blog. 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