Standoff
Encyclopedia
A standoff is used in mechanics
and electronics
to separate two parts from one another. Standoffs can be many shapes and sizes and made of many different materials. Insulating standoffs may keep two parts from touching each other, thereby preventing an electronic short. Cable thumbscrews are often screwed into standoffs on the back of computers.
Standoff sizes are usually measured by the Unified Thread Standard. Size 4-40 is used to secure cables to external computer ports, and size 6-32 is used for motherboard mounts http://www.startech.com/product/itemlist.aspx?product_desc=standoffs.
Dell, Inc. refers to standoffs that receive thumbscrews as "hex nut screws" and measures them with the Metric system.
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
and electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
to separate two parts from one another. Standoffs can be many shapes and sizes and made of many different materials. Insulating standoffs may keep two parts from touching each other, thereby preventing an electronic short. Cable thumbscrews are often screwed into standoffs on the back of computers.
Standoff sizes are usually measured by the Unified Thread Standard. Size 4-40 is used to secure cables to external computer ports, and size 6-32 is used for motherboard mounts http://www.startech.com/product/itemlist.aspx?product_desc=standoffs.
Dell, Inc. refers to standoffs that receive thumbscrews as "hex nut screws" and measures them with the Metric system.