Board Spacers, Standoffs

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	20188 Vicor	STANDOFFS GOLD .453	0
	18154 Vicor	KIT,.348 M-F STANDOFF,6PC SHRT	0
	20187 Vicor	STDOFF.375 M F	0
	18151 Vicor	STANDOFF KIT FOR MAXI,MINI,MICRO	0
	20186 Vicor	STDOFF.375 F F	0
	20189 Vicor	STDOFF.453 M F	0
	34717 Vicor	KIT STDOFF .287 F-F .094/.125P	0
	19122 Vicor	STDOFF.252 F F	0
	19134 Vicor	STDOFF.420 F F	0
	19126 Vicor	STANDOFF	0
	24054 Vicor	KIT,.403 F-F STDF,6PCS,.125PCB	0
	19129 Vicor	STANDOFF	0
	34719 Vicor	KIT, STDOFF .287 M-F 12PCS	0
	20177 Vicor	KIT.375 MALE-FEMALE 6PC STDF	0
	19124 Vicor	STDOFF .270 F F	0
	34709 Vicor	STDOFF.287 F F	0
	18148 Vicor	KIT,.270 FEM-FEM STANDOFF,6PCS	0
	19130 Vicor	STDOFF SHT.348 M F	0
	19127 Vicor	STDOFF SHT.325 M F	0
	18149 Vicor	KIT,.270 MAL-FEM STANDOFF,6PCS	0

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