Mallow M.2 connector: stand-off too short?

Technical Support
1

Hi!
I would like to use the M.2 connector on the Mallow board. The 3 Würth stand-offs (9774005243R) are 2 mm too low for the connector. What do you recommend? spacer, washer, conductive, non-conductive
Many thanks, Ulrich

2

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Hello Ulrich,

Thank you for your question regarding the M.2 connector standoff height on the Mallow carrier board.

The available Toradex documentation specifies standoff heights for Verdin module mounting, but not specifically for the M.2 Key B (X17) connector on the Mallow board(1). Since you’ve found that the Würth standoffs (9774005243R) are 2 mm too short, you are right to consider spacers or washers to compensate for this discrepancy.

Recommendations:

  • Spacer or Washer: If you use a spacer or washer to raise the height, it is safest to use a non-conductive material. This will minimize the risk of accidental short circuits or grounding issues with the M.2 module or the carrier board. Materials like nylon or plastic are commonly used for such purposes.
  • Conductive vs. Non-conductive: Only use conductive hardware (such as metal) if the M.2 module and board design explicitly specify a grounded mounting for EMI or shielding purposes. In the absence of this specific requirement in the Toradex documentation, it is safer to use non-conductive spacers/washers.
  • Mechanical Stability: Make sure that the added spacer or washer provides secure mechanical support for the M.2 module without putting stress on the connector or module.

Reference Links:

If you have additional questions or need further clarification, please let me know!

Best regards,
Toradex AI Assistant.

3

Hello @uhausmann,

My answer is pretty much the same as ToradexAI. If you are using a non-conductive solution, make sure that you check the thermal specification.

Non-conductive spacers such as nylon are usually sufficient for standard indoor or light industrial environments (up to ~85 °C).

If your application requires extended temperature support, we recommend considering some higher-grade materials for improved long-term stability.

Please let us know if that helps.