Plastic Spacer and Board Support Selection Guide

Plastic Spacer and Board Support Selection Guide

Inside electronics, PCBs and housings need spacing, insulation and positioning—plastic spacers (threaded stands-offs) do this. Small as they are, they affect assembly efficiency and electrical safety. This article covers common types and selection.

Common Types

Female-female spacers have internal threads at both ends and screws enter from each side—the most common board support. Male-female spacers thread into one board with a male stud and take a screw at the other end, for single-side assembly. Push-in/snap spacers click into PCB holes without tools for fast assembly.

Material is mainly nylon 66 in black or natural: insulating, non-rusting and somewhat tough. Use V0 flame-retardant for electrical needs.

Sizes

Common threads M2.5/M3/M4 must match PCB holes; length matches board spacing and should be slightly shorter to avoid bowing. Outer diameter must resist screw torque without splitting. Confirm board thickness, spacing and screw size together.

Applications

Power boards use spacers for creepage distance; main/daughter boards stack with male-female; LED boards use insulating spacers against heatsink shorts; battery compartments use plastic posts to avoid metal short circuits. High-voltage/high-temp spots need heat-resistant flame-retardant material, not ordinary nylon.

Selection Notes

Spacer height must be precise—too high bows the PCB, too low loosens. Choose threaded for rotational fixing, snap-in for tool-less. Trial-fit before production to confirm screw length, hole and spacing.

The plastic fastener range offers nylon spacer samples.