How important are standoffs? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by root@lemmy.world to c/mechanicalkeyboards@lemmy.ml

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I recently built a keyboard (previously I had only added switches and keycaps), and in the box, I see some standoffs. From what I can tell, these are optional? It seems some people use them and others do not depending on their plate material. Is this true, or are they absolutely needed?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] soulsuit@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It depends on case material and mounting type. But generally standoffs create separation and stability between the PCB and case, especially with tray mount boards.

Some people reduce the number of standoffs in certain areas to allow more flexibility in the PCB. But, if your keyboard case material is metal, and you have no standoffs, or the PCB is flexible enough to contact the case, it can short the connections which may cause switches to malfunction or behave erratically.

this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2023

6 points (100.0% liked)

Mechanical Keyboards

8706 readers

1 users here now

Are you addicted to the clicking sounds of your beautiful and impressive mechanical keyboard?
If so, this community is for you!

Here you can discuss everything about mechanical keyboards (and only mechanical keyboards).

Banner by Jay Zhang on Unsplash

founded 4 years ago