Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
13RS087535 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .370 ID, .870 OD,	2000
1533T-A-6-SS RAF	1_4-ROUND_SWAGE_SPACER	730
NAS1829C6E19 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 3/8 HEX MALE/FEM	0
13RSSR0147 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .192 ID, .625 OD,	1000
SWI1640A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER M6 NYLON 1/2"	144
4042-632-SS RAF	1/4 RD X 1.00 LENGTH	556
13SP253 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND THROUGH SPACER, NATURAL, N	2990
4041-440-AL RAF	1_4_ROUND_MALE_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	710
13RSSR0169 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .192 ID, .625 OD,	500
4535-632-S-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 STEEL 9/16"	569
NAS1831C4C40 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 1/4 HEX FEMALE S	0
2057-440-SS RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 SS 1/2"	494
970140361 Würth Elektronik Midcom	HEX SPACER M3X0.5 STEEL 14MM	678
NC145314A Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 ALUM 5/16"	508
2109-632-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 13/16"	282
2106-440-SS-20 RAF	1/4 HEX X 5/8 LENGTH	160
M1253-2545-AL RAF	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 ALUM 6MM	1345
13RS075086 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .401 ID, .760 OD,	1000
M2149-3005-S-12 RAF	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 STEEL 14MM	572
970150354 Würth Elektronik Midcom	BRASS SPACER STUD METRIC THREAD	50

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