Captive Panel Screws are products designed to remain attached even if unscrewed when used with a captive panel retainer. The captive panel screw is most commonly used on control panel doors to keep the door screwed shut during normal operating conditions.
When access is needed, unthreading the screw allows for the door to be open, while the retainer keeps the screw attached to the door. Selecting captive screws for access panel doors is the perfect solution to prevent a screw from becoming lost during a field repair or creating a safety hazard.
Step 1 - Types of Captive Panel Screw
The type of captive screws selected predominantly depends on your aesthetic or personal preference for the head style. You can start by reviewing our catalog and all the products listed below are slotted with the exception of Type 1, which can be tightened by hand as it is knurled. All other types of captive screws can be tightened down with a standard screwdriver.
These captive screws have a larger head diameter which helps disperse the load over a wider area, and many customers find it easier to grip.
These captive screws have a smaller diameter head and are preferred when wanting to save space.
These captive screws have a washer face machined onto the part, which customers report finding easier to grip since it sits up higher. With that, you're able to get your fingers securely around the part.
This is a screw with a basic Pan Head design and is less noticeable than the other types of screws.
Step 3 - Material for Captive Screws
The type of material selected for has a direct effect on its strength, corrosion resistance, and cost.
Steel
choosing steel as the product material will be less costly, but won't be resistant to corrosion, is magnetic, and of average weight.
Stainless Steel
choosing stainless steel as the product material will be more costly, but is resistant to corrosion, though is non-magnetic and of average weight.
Brass
choosing brass as the product material is more costly, is highly corrosion-resistant, though non-magnetic, and is heavier in weight.
Step 3 - Captive Screw Thread Type
Lyn-Tron offers all of our captive screws in a wide variety of common thread sizes in both inch and metric.
| Inch | Metric |
|---|---|
| 2-56 | M3x0.58 |
| 4-40 | M3.5x0.6 |
| 6-32 | M4x0.7 |
| 8-32 | M5x0.8 |
| 10-24 | M6x1 |
| 10-32 | |
| 12-24 | |
| 1/4-20 | |
| 1/4-28 | |
| 5/16-18 | |
| 5/16-24 |
Step 4 - Shank Length of Captive Screws
The shank length determines how long the captive screw is for the panel. To know the proper length needed, first decide if you will use a spring or not, the size of the retainer, the material thickness, as well as the distance between the mating parts.
A general rule of thumb for captive screw products is that the longer screws will make it easier to engage while shorter ones will have a tighter fit.
| Panel Screw Type | Shank Diameters Available | Shank Lengths Available |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | 0.078 - 0.235” | 3/8 - 1 5/8” |
| Type 2 | 0.078 - 0.280” | 11/64” - 1 3/8” |
| Type 3 | 0.078 - 0.175” | 3/16” - 1 1/8” |
| Type 4 | 0.061 - 0.130” | 3/32” - 1 7/32” |
| Panel Screw Type | Shank Diameters Available | Shank Lengths Available |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | 2mm - 4.5mm | 9.5mm - 41.5mm |
| Type 2 | 2mm - 4.5mm | 3mm - 38mm |
| Type 4 | 1.5mm - 3.3mm | 2.5mm - 30.9mm |
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