Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
14HTSP116 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX THREADED STANDOFF, #4-40 THR	957
4562-632-S-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 STEEL 2-1/2"	305
4534-632-B-12 RAF	1/4 HEX X 1/2 LENGTH	2420
970250321 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 25MM	1000
971400481 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 STEEL 40MM	416
13RS162592 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .250 ID, 1.062 OD,	1000
7302-C-440-B RAF	3/16 RD X 1/4 LENGTH	57
2246-832-AL RAF	3/8 HEX X 1.00 LENGTH	500
CBMFTS340A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF M3 NYLON 33MM	277
NAS43DD6-113FC RAF	ALUMINUM UNTHREADED SPACER 1/2 R	0
13SP112 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND THROUGH SPACER, NATURAL, N	10000
SS3/8-4 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER M9 PVC 1/2"	1436
13RS075083 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .386 ID, .754 OD,	2500
M1417-4007-AL RAF	10MM HEX X 20MM X M4 THD	288
NAS1831C4B15 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 1/4 HEX FEMALE S	250
13RS087542 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .265 ID, .875 OD,	5000
2128-632-SS-20 RAF	1/4 HEX X 2.00 LENGTH	158
36440MF087 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	MALE FEMALE THREADED STANDOFF, #	1920
9774060151R Würth Elektronik Midcom	RND STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 STEEL 6MM	8238
1156-10-S RAF	5/16 RD X 5/16 X .192 ID	1500

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