Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
1122-6-SS RAF	1/4 RD X 1/8 X 0.14	409
R938-2 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER NYLON 1/8"	4361
M1842-B-3005-SS RAF	6_MM_ROUND_FULL_KNURLED_SWAGE_ST	720
13SP259 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND THROUGH SPACER, NATURAL, N	3000
1696-440-B-12 RAF	1/4 RD X 1-1/4 LENGTH	600
1734-3 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #2-56 BRASS 3/16"	700
2100T-440-AL-7 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 ALUM 9/32"	145
2053-440-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 SS 1/4"	1052
4570-632-AL RAF	1/4 HEX X 4.00 LENGTH	139
15TSP022 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND STANDOFF, #10-32 THREAD, .	2500
M0592-4-AL RAF	8MM RD X 3MM X 4.3MM ID	239
NAS1831A6E32 RAF	ALUMINUM 3/8 HEX FEMALE STANDOFF	488
1176-10-SS-20 RAF	5/16 RD X 1 9/16 X .192 ID	49
13RS030503 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .175 ID, .300 OD,	2890
1188-8-AL RAF	3/8 RD X 3/8 X .166 ID	3970
13SP040 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND THROUGH SPACER, NATURAL, N	41637
971350611 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M6 STEEL 35MM	0
13RSSR0126 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .380 ID, .500 OD,	500
M1272-3005-SS RAF	4.5MM HEX X 25MM X M3 THD	459
1636T-440-SS RAF	3/16_ROUND_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	1080

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