Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
SWI1620A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER M6 NYLON 1/8"	12388
R40-6710894 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M4 NYLON 8MM	3304
3030-B-256-AL-7 RAF	3/16 RD X 1/8 LENGTH	2650
2101-440-SS-20 RAF	1/4 HEX X 5/16 LENGTH	400
971300511 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX STANDOFF M5 STEEL 30MM	84
NAS1831A4B24 RAF	ALUMINUM 1/4 HEX FEMALE STANDOFF	0
4508-440-AL RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 ALUM 11/16"	384
NAS1831C4C22 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 1/4 HEX FEMALE S	0
R30-3001202 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 12MM	10172
13SP137 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND THROUGH SPACER, NATURAL, N	3000
13RS025066 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .200 ID, .260 OD,	2890
1230-8-N RAF	1/2 RD X 1 1/16 X .166 ID	290
M0541-4-N RAF	ROUND SPACER NYLON 12MM	398
M2111-2545-SS RAF	4.5MM HEX X 16MM X M2.5 THD	288
13RSSR0050 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .166 ID, .312 OD,	2000
24483 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 SS 10MM	2675
4502-440-S-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 STEEL 5/16"	711
13SP373 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .171 ID, .375 OD,	1999
1623-3 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 1/2"	7301000
2266-1032-SS RAF	3/8 HEX X 2-1/2 LENGTH	115

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