Standoffs / Distance Bolts / Spacers – Introduction:

What is standoffs?

A Standoff is a fastener that is used to create space between two objects, often to properly position them. In the world of electronic components and electronic hardware, standoffs are typically used to space circuit boards, panels, doors or gears. Standoffs can be round, hexagonal or square in shape. They can have exterior knurling as well as swage characteristics. Female-Female or Double Female Standoffs can be fully threaded or partially threaded on each end. Male-Female Standoffs are also available. Standoffs are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, brass, plastic, steel and stainless steel.

What is the purpose of raised screw holes or standoffs installed between the motherboard and desktop case?

A: The standoffs create a space between the case and the motherboard, so preventing shorting of components. The space also aids cooling air flow through the space.

A: Standoffs help to keep the motherboard from touching the case. If that were to happen, that could cause an electrical short and possibly damage the motherboard. Standoffs can also allow for air flow under the motherboard. Another thing of note is that they raise the board to the proper height so the peripheral cards and any connections on the back are in their proper places.

Standoffs – also called distance bolts

Standoffs also called Distance bolts, are used to hold or fix components such as electronic circuit boards apart. Standoffs are mainly manufactured from round or hexagonal bars to simplify assembly. There is no specific industry standard for standoffs and distance bolts. P4W produces standoffs using cam-controlled automatic lathes and CNC turning lathes.  Common materials for distance bolts include brass, copper, aluminum, steel, and stainless steel, plastic…

Standoffs – also called Spacers

Standoffs, also called Spacers, are round / hex plastic or metal pegs that separate the motherboard from the case, so that components on the back of the motherboard do not touch the case.

Self-Clinching Standoffs / Blind Standoffs / Thru-Hole Threaded Standoffs

Self-clinching standoffs are most commonly used when an application requires a user to stack or space a component away from the panel. Blind and Thru-threaded fasteners are standard.

Male-Male Standoffs

A Male-Male Standoff is a fastener that is used to create space between two objects, often to properly position them. In the world of electronic components and electronic hardware, standoffs are typically used to space circuit boards, panels, doors or gears. Male-Male or Double Male Standoffs have a hexagonal center section and are characterized by external threading on both ends. M-M Standoffs are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, brass, plastic, steel and stainless steel.

Female-Female Standoffs

A Female-Female Standoff is a fastener that is used to create space between two objects, often to properly position them. In the world of electronic components and electronic hardware, standoffs are typically used to space circuit boards, panels, doors or gears. Female-Female Standoffs can be round, hexagonal or square in shape. They can have exterior knurling as well as swage characteristics. Female-Female or Double Female Standoffs can be fully threaded or partially threaded on each end. F-F Standoffs are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, brass, plastic, steel and stainless steel. Unthreaded female standoffs can be found in our Spacers section.

Male-Female Standoffs

A Male-Female Standoff is a fastener that is used to create space between two objects, often to properly position them. In the world of electronic components and electronic hardware, standoffs are typically used to space circuit boards, panels, doors or gears. Male-Female Standoffs can be round or hexagonal in shape. They can have exterior knurling as well as swage characteristics. Male-Female Standoffs have internal threads on one end and male threads on the other. M-F Standoffs are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, brass, plastic, steel and stainless steel.