Dear Alexis Meehan, Phil Dutton and Joe Hurst say good things. I try to keep my component clearance much larger (0.15 inch from edge of screw head for small components; more for taller componensts) than the minimum distance so that when the screwdriver slips off the screw and I bang it into the board, I don't crush any components. (It doesn't hurt to scuff traces with the screwdriver, so I run traces right up to that minimum distance). I used to insist that screw holes be *not* plated, to avoid plugging up the holes during wave soldering. But it doesn't matter with reflow boards. I suppose if I were using large enough washers, I wouldn't have to worry about it -- the screwdriver would slip off the screw and bang into the washer. But I am not using any washers. (the copper annular ring I draw under the screw head seems more than adequate to keep it from chewing into the board). -- David Cary Alexis Meehan: ... I am looking for the IPC recommended clearance of components/traces/vias to mounting holes with screws. I can't find it in IPC-2221; does someone out there know where it is? Thanks in advance for any guidance. ******************** Alexis Meehan PCB CAD Mgr. 408-328-4595 [log in to unmask] LuxN, Inc. ... http://www.LuxN.com <http://www.luxn.com/>