The TPS73801-SEP regulators are designed to be stable with a wide range of output capacitors. The ESR of the output capacitor affects stability, most notably with small capacitors. A minimum output capacitor of 10 µF with an ESR of 3 Ω or less is recommended to prevent oscillations. Larger values of output capacitance can decrease the peak deviations and provide improved transient response for larger load current changes. Bypass capacitors, used to decouple individual components powered by the TPS73801-SEP, increase the effective output capacitor value.

Extra consideration must be given to the use of ceramic capacitors. Ceramic capacitors are manufactured with a variety of dielectrics, each with different behavior over temperature and applied voltage. The most common dielectrics used are Z5U, Y5V, X5R and X7R. The Z5U and Y5V dielectrics are good for providing high capacitances in a small package, but exhibit strong voltage and temperature coefficients. When used with a 5-V regulator, a 10-µF Y5V capacitor can exhibit an effective value as low as 1 µF to 2 µF over the operating temperature range. The X5R and X7R dielectrics result in more stable characteristics and are more suitable for use as the output capacitor. The X7R type has better stability across temperature, while the X5R is less expensive and is available in higher values.

Voltage and temperature coefficients are not the only sources of problems. Some ceramic capacitors have a piezoelectric response. A piezoelectric device generates voltage across its terminals due to mechanical stress, similar to the way a piezoelectric accelerometer or microphone works. For a ceramic capacitor, the stress can be induced by vibrations in the system or thermal transients.