How to Install a Ceiling TV Mount
The manufacturer's installation procedure for Expert Mounts ceiling TV mounts: locating structure, mounting the ceiling plate, setting the mast, and hanging the screen. The sequence below matches the instruction sheet shipped with each mount; always follow the sheet supplied with your model.
Severe personal injury and property damage can result from improper installation. The ceiling structure must support 4 times the total load (mount plus screen); if it cannot, reinforce it first. The standard plates are designed for wood beams and joists 2 x 4 inches and larger - for steel beams, concrete, or an unknown ceiling type, use the matching structural plate or a qualified installer. Do not install if any part is damaged or missing, and never exceed the rated weight capacity. Professional installation is recommended for all ceiling-mounted products.
What you need
- Stud finder (or access to locate joists), pencil, tape measure
- Drill, bits, and sockets for the lag hardware that matches your structure
- Level, ladder rated for the work, and a second person to lift the screen
- The instruction sheet and hardware supplied with your mount
Mounting the plate and mast
- Find the structure. Locate the joist or beam and mark the edge and center lines. The plate must land on structure, not drywall alone.
- Mark the location. Hold the ceiling plate in position and mark the mounting holes.
- Mount the ceiling plate. Fasten the plate to the structure with hardware appropriate for the material. Lag bolts must seat in the center of the joist.
- Insert the mast. Slide the ceiling mast (pipe) into the ceiling plate and tighten the set screw.
- Set the height. Adjust the mast to the drop you need and insert the set bolt.
Attaching the TV
- Assemble the head. Attach the mount plate to the adapter bracket with the supplied screws and nylon lock nuts.
- Install the bracket on the mast. Slide the mast through the large holes in the U-shaped adapter bracket.
- Lock it. Secure the bracket with the supplied threaded collar and tighten the set screws.
- Mount the rails on the TV. Attach the upright rails to the back of the screen at equal heights, tilt levers to the outside. Use the nylon spacers if the back of the TV is recessed or obstructed. Do not overtighten, and do not let screws bottom out.
- Hang the TV. With a helper, hook the rails over the top of the mount plate, slide the locking tabs up, and secure the screws.
Choosing the drop length
The drop is the distance from the ceiling to the top of the screen. Work it out before ordering: measure the ceiling height, decide where the center of the screen should sit (seated eye level is roughly 40 to 45 inches from the floor; standing viewing in a commercial space usually puts the screen center at 60 to 70 inches or higher), and subtract. The adjustable mast shipped with each mount covers roughly 18 to 63 inches depending on model; fixed 1.5" NPT pipe runs to 48 inches and telescoping extensions adjust from 8 to 72 inches when the room needs more. Worked examples are in the drop-length guide.
Angled ceilings, beams, and Unistrut
A sloped ceiling needs an angled plate (11AC005, 11CP006, or the ANGLE-CEILING adapter) so the mast hangs plumb. Exposed structure has its own attachments: Unistrut adapter, I-beam clamp, and truss clamps. All of them accept the same 1.5" NPT mast - see ceiling plates.
After installation
- Confirm every set screw, set bolt, and locking tab is tight.
- Check the screen is level and tilt is locked at the angle you set.
- Leave service slack in the cables so tilt and rotation do not strain them.
- Re-check fasteners after the first week of service.
Documents and models
The instruction sheet for the 33CE004 mount family is available as a PDF: ceiling mount installation instructions (PDF). Sheets for every model are in the manuals library. Full specifications for each mount are on the ceiling TV mounts page, and every model is sold factory-direct at VideoMountStore.com. Questions: call 855-566-8687.