Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
24314 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 BRASS 12MM	54236600
1821A Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #10-32 ALUM 3/8"	9151100
2273-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #4-40 BRASS 3/8"	14362400
1881 Keystone Electronics Corp.	RND STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 1-1/4"	215427
1904C Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #8-32 NYLON 1/2"	9723200
24317 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 BRASS 20MM	21966600
24321 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 BRASS 15MM	475900
2344 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND SPACER #4 NYLON 1/2"	200
24428 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 ALUM 25MM	7004100
1903E Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #6-32 NYLON 1"	2068922700
1604-4 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #6-32 BRASS 1/2"	845600
436 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND SPACER #8 ALUMINUM 1-1/2"	647900
2029 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND STANDOFF #4-40 ALUM 3/4"	109813300
1904B Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #8-32 NYLON 3/8"	5112100
24335 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M2.5X0.45 ALUM 20MM	450100
1743-2 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF #2-56 BRASS 3/8"	5500
24299 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 SS 20MM	1903282
25533 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M4 NYLON 18MM	759700
1936 Keystone Electronics Corp.	ROUND SPACER #6 BRASS 7/8"	187100
24316 Keystone Electronics Corp.	HEX STANDOFF M3 BRASS 18MM	696411300

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