Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
R30-3000902 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 9MM	1764
R30-1011102 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 11MM	4223
R30-6011002 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 BRASS 10MM	1534
R30-6010202 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 BRASS 2MM	3802
R30-6010702 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 BRASS 7MM	455
R30-3001402 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 14MM	0
R30-3002202 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 22MM	675
R30-9400600 Harwin	HEX SPACER M3 PLASTIC 6MM	0
R30-6200314 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 ALUMINUM 3MM	0
R30-6011802 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 BRASS 18MM	0
R30-3000502 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 5MM	4285
R30-9401800 Harwin	HEX SPACER M3 PLASTIC 18MM	0
R30-4000502 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 5MM	2019
R30-6700394 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 NYLON 3MM	13
R30-1001102 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 11MM	5396
R30-9401000 Harwin	HEX SPACER PLASTIC 10MM	1528
R30-6200514 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 ALUMINUM 5MM	5916
R30-5000702 Harwin	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 7MM	888
R44-1001002 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 10MM	1345
R30-6701394 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 NYLON 13MM	2148

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