Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
R30-6011302 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 BRASS 13MM	0
R30-5000802 Harwin	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 8MM	88
R25-1001202 Harwin	HEX STNDFF M2.5X0.45 BRASS 12MM	1386
R30-6200914 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 ALUMINUM 9MM	0
R30-1011602 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 16MM	241
R30-5002002 Harwin	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 20MM	9346
R30-1611500 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 NYLON 15MM	438
R6104-02 Harwin	HEX STNDFF M3X0.5 BRASS 15.24MM	4773
R30-1010402 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 4MM	4400
R30-1010802 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 8MM	8711
R30-6201314 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 ALUMINUM 13MM	9885
R30-1001502 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 15MM	845
R30-1611300 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 NYLON 13MM	3310
R30-6700594 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 NYLON 5MM	17518
R40-3003502 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 BRASS 35MM	0
R30-5000902 Harwin	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 9MM	0
R25-1001402 Harwin	HEX STNDFF M2.5X0.45 BRASS 14MM	1649
R30-6011602 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 BRASS 16MM	1414
R30-3001502 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 15MM	5763
R30-1011202 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 12MM	214

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