Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
1902E Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 NYLON 1"	1570014300
8410 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 ALUM 1-5/8"	97851600
1758-3 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 1/2"	700
24303 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 SS 15MM	141434
1627-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 1/4"	490400
1475B Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #10-32 SS 1/2"	270487
428 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND SPACER #6 ALUMINUM 1-1/4"	15752100
1903F Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 5/8"	2147483647
24498 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 SS 25MM	1013438
1474C Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #8-32 BRASS 1/2"	64804900
24334 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 ALUM 18MM	283200
1475C Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #10-32 SS 5/8"	383
24339 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 ALUMINUM 15MM	43686300
24337 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 ALUMINUM 10MM	1751616800
1628-3 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 3/8"	11901600
24497 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 SS 20MM	158750
25531 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 NYLON 12MM	1881400
24466 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 SS 18MM	200713
24470 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 SS 5MM	340769
2272-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 1/4"	514900

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