Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
971400477 Würth Elektronik Midcom	STAINLESS STEEL SPACER STUD METR	180
14HTSP309 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX THREADED STANDOFF, #6-32 THR	980
NAS1831AC3B13 RAF	ALUMINUM 3/16 HEX FEMALE STANDOF	500
9774150360R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 15MM	4812
1152-6-N RAF	1/4 RD X 2 X .140 ID	494
M2142-3005-N RAF	6MM HEX X 7MM X M3 THD	460
R6396-02 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 7/8"	1089
M2105-3005-AL-7 RAF	4.5MM HEX X 10MM X M3 THD	983
13RS150050 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, 1.020 ID, 1.500 OD	1000
971400321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 40MM	1119
13RS062560 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .281 ID, .615 OD,	2000
1215-25-AL RAF	1/2 RD X 1/8 X 0.252	4900
9908-250 Califia Lighting (Bivar)	ROUND SPACER #4 NYLON 1/4"	34508
1451D Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 5/8"	13432200
M1269-3005-SS-20 RAF	4.5MM HEX X 22MM X M3 THD	306
M2143-3005-S-12 RAF	6MM HEX X 8MM X M3 THD	1000
1224-10-AL RAF	1/2 RD X 11/16 X .192 ID	1880
R40-1001202 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 BRASS 12MM	0
M2163-3005-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 SS 34MM	489
9774150960R Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND SPACER STEEL 15MM	786

Board Spacers, Standoffs

1. Overview

Board spacers and standoffs are specialized hardware components used to create controlled spacing between printed circuit boards (PCBs), panels, or structural elements. They provide mechanical support, electrical isolation, and thermal management in electronic assemblies. Their importance in modern technology includes enabling compact designs, reducing vibration stress, and improving heat dissipation in devices ranging from smartphones to industrial control systems.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Cylindrical Spacers	Simple tubular design with uniform diameter	PCB layer separation in consumer electronics
Hexagonal Standoffs	6-sided structure for wrench tightening	Industrial equipment panel mounting
Self-clinching Standoffs	Permanent installation with threaded compression	Sheet metal enclosures in servers
Adjustable Spacers	Variable length through threaded adjustment	Prototype development and testing
Insulated Spacers	Non-conductive materials for electrical isolation	High-voltage power supply assemblies

3. Structure & Composition

Typical construction includes:

Material: Stainless steel (corrosion resistance), aluminum (lightweight), or nylon (insulation)
Geometry: Cylindrical (standard), stepped (for multiple board heights), or flanged (for load distribution)
Installation Features: Internal threading (male/female), knurled surfaces (for grip), or press-fit tabs
Surface Treatment: Passivation (metal), UV resistance (plastics), or EMI shielding coating

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Material Hardness (HV)	Determines wear resistance and load capacity
Thread Engagement Length	Affects vibration resistance in dynamic environments
Thermal Conductivity (W/m K)	Critical for heat dissipation in power electronics
Dielectric Strength (kV/mm)	Safety factor in high-voltage applications
Installation Torque Rating	Prevents over-tightening damage to PCBs

5. Application Fields

Primary industries include:

Electronics Manufacturing: Server racks, LED displays
Automotive: Engine control units (ECUs), ADAS systems
Aerospace: Satellite PCB mounting, avionics enclosures
Medical Devices: MRI scanner internal structures
Consumer Electronics: Smartphone PCB stacking

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product
PEM	S-8900 Series self-clinching standoffs
RS Components	486-8826 insulated hexagonal spacers
Mouser Electronics	925206-12 adjustable PCB spacers
McMaster-Carr	91285A102 stainless steel standoffs

7. Selection Recommendations

Evaluate mechanical load requirements vs material strength
Match thread type (UNC/UNF/Metric) with assembly hardware
Consider CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) compatibility with PCB materials
Select insulated variants for >50V circuits
Use vibration-damping coatings in mobile applications

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Miniaturization: Sub-1mm spacers for wearable devices
Material Innovation: Conductive polymer composites for EMI shielding
Smart Integration: Standoffs with embedded strain gauges for structural monitoring
Automated Installation: Self-aligning designs for robotic assembly lines
Sustainability: Biodegradable plastic options (PLA-based) entering mainstream production