Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
13RS050063 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .285 ID, .500 OD,	325
1204-8-N RAF	3_8-ROUND_SPACER	542
4538-632-AL-7 RAF	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 ALUMINUM 3/4"	4829
SS8-8 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER #8 PVC 1"	1735
HSM4-8-30-2 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX STANDOFF M4 NYLON 30MM	108
4503-440-B-12 RAF	3/16 HEX X 3/8 LENGTH	500
35HSP209 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX SELF THREAD STANDOFF, #6 SCR	2907
908-100 Califia Lighting (Bivar)	ROUND SPACER NYLON 2.54MM	6463
9905-187 Califia Lighting (Bivar)	ROUND SPACER #6 NYLON 3/16"	1308
SWI1690A Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER M6 NYLON 5/16"	2106
960090084 Würth Elektronik Midcom	ROUND PLASTIC SPACER L:9,0 MM	420
2055-440-N RAF	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 NYLON 3/8"	1231
14HTSP112 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	HEX THREADED STANDOFF, #2-56 THR	1735
2172-1032-AL RAF	5/16_HEX_FEMALE_STANDOFFS	1200
24417 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 BRASS 20MM	375700
970090155 Würth Elektronik Midcom	PLASTIC SPACER STUD METRIC THREA	640
13RSSR0082 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	ROUND SPACER, .218 ID, .375 OD,	1000
9000-50-S-12 RAF	ROUND SPACER STEEL 3/8"	150
NAS1829C4C30 RAF	STAINLESS STEEL 1/4 HEX MALE/FEM	125
4005-256-SS RAF	3/16 RD X 1/2 LENGTH	160

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