Hardware to mount pcb/prototype board to metal box?

Click For Summary
To mount a prototype board to a metal box, stand-offs are recommended, which are hexagonal rods with tapped holes for securing the board. For thicker metal, stand-offs with threads on one end can be screwed directly into the box, requiring precise hole placement. Alternatively, stick-on plastic standoffs can be used for easier installation. Pre-manufactured enclosures with integrated slots or standoffs are also available for convenience. Overall, selecting the right mounting hardware depends on the box's material and design requirements.
atlbraves49
Messages
80
Reaction score
0
Engineering news on Phys.org
They are called 'stand-offs'
Little hexagonal rods with a tapped hole in each end - you screw through the box into one end and trhough the PCB into the other
Or you can get stick on plastic ones that glue to the inside of the box and have little plastic barbs that go through the hole in the PCB
 
If you have fairly thick metal, you can get stand-offs that have a thread on one end, allowing you to screw it into the bottom of your box. This works best if you have access to a machine shop with a lathe, or someone that's really good with a drill press. You also need to know exactly where your holes are to be located.

If you just have a sheet metal box, well, the ones with tapped holes are probably the way to go, along with some round head screws through the sheet.
 
Nut inserts probably aren't what you'd want for your application but I thought they would be worth mentioning because they come in handy sometimes. For example, when a "backer plate" is desired in the bottom of an enclosure and you want to put standoffs on it to mount PCBs.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#nut-inserts/=qoac3"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thread 'I thought it was only Amazon that sold unsafe junk'
I grabbed an under cabinet LED light today at a big box store. Nothing special. 18 inches in length and made to plug several lights together. Here is a pic of the power cord: The drawing on the box led me to believe that it would accept a standard IEC cord which surprised me. But it's a variation of it. I didn't try it, but I would assume you could plug a standard IEC cord into this and have a double male cord AKA suicide cord. And to boot, it's likely going to reverse the hot and...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
29
Views
10K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
13K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
11K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K