Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
3018-B-256-B-5 RAF	5/32 RD X 5/16 LENGTH	970
1541-B-4-AL RAF	1_4-ROUND_SWAGE_SPACER	1120
1798A Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #2-56 BRASS 3/16"	5472800
24283 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 SS 10MM	176
SS6-8 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER #6 PVC 1"	1803
13RSSR0019 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .115 ID, .188 OD,	996
3053-B-440-B-37 RAF	1/4 RD X 5/8 LENGTH	1000
13RSSR0162 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .192 ID, .625 OD,	1000
13RS050082 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .375 ID, .500 OD,	1900
1393560-5 TE Connectivity AMP Connectors	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 4.8MM	7464
13SPRT056 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, RETAINING, #4 SCRE	1960
1679-440-SS RAF	1/4 RD X 3/16 LENGTH	246
13RSSR0029 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .115 ID, .250 OD,	999
24381 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 BRASS 6MM	82388800
13ME032 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, 3.2MM ID, 6MM OD,	2775
1751-832-AL RAF	5/16_ROUND_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	577
NAS1829C6G20 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 3/8 HEX MALE/FEM	0
M2143-4007-S-12 RAF	6MM HEX X 8MM X M4 THD	473
963050174 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND BRASS SPACER L:5,0 MM;ID:4	367
36M40MF014 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	MALE FEMALE THREADED STANDOFF, M	975

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