Chief CMA345

The Chief CMA345 is a heavy-duty structural ceiling plate designed for permanent projector ceiling installations where building-related vibration is a concern — such as buildings with rooftop HVAC units, mechanical rooms, or high-traffic floors above. It attaches directly to a ceiling structural member and accepts any standard 1-1/2" NPT-threaded extension column, giving integrators full flexibility over drop height. The built-in neoprene rubber flex joint effectively decouples the projector from structure-borne shock and vibration, protecting both equipment and image quality. An offset design creates a natural cable exit point when mounting to flat ceiling surfaces. With a 226,8 kg load capacity and UL listing, the CMA345 is a trusted solution for permanent commercial and professional AV installs.

Neoprene Flex Joint Absorbs Vibration

The CMA345's defining feature is its built-in flexible neoprene rubber joint, which sits between the structural ceiling plate and the extension column. Neoprene is a dense, oil-resistant synthetic rubber that effectively absorbs mechanical energy across a wide frequency range — meaning low-frequency rumble from HVAC plant, elevator machinery, or foot traffic above the ceiling does not travel down the column and into the projector. In practice, this keeps the projected image steady and reduces the mechanical stress on the projector's optical components over time. It is the right choice any time a standard rigid ceiling plate would transmit noticeable building vibration to the installed equipment.

Universal 1-1/2" NPT Column Compatibility

The CMA345 uses a standard 1-1/2" NPT (National Pipe Thread) female fitting, which is the industry-standard thread size for Chief CMS fixed and adjustable extension columns as well as generic NPT-threaded steel pipe. This means the ceiling plate works with virtually any column length in the Chief ecosystem, from very short drops to long extensions for high-ceiling venues. It also means that on site, if a column needs to change length during installation or retrofit, the plate itself does not need to be replaced — only the column is swapped. The included 5/16-18 set screw locks the column in place once the correct drop height is set.

Isolates your projector from building vibration. Every install.

UL Listed · Limited 5-year manufacturer warranty (parts and labour)

226,8 kg Load Capacity for Heavy Projectors

With a rated load capacity of 226,8 kg, the CMA345 comfortably handles even the largest and heaviest installation projectors on the market today — including large-venue laser projectors that can weigh 30–50 kg or more. The structural ceiling plate attaches directly to the ceiling's load-bearing member (beam, purlin, or concrete deck insert), not just the drywall or ceiling tile, so the full rated load is transferred safely into the building structure. For integrators specifying high-end installs, this headroom eliminates the need to source a heavier-duty plate and keeps the specification simple.

Offset Design for Neat Cable Management

Unlike a centred ceiling plate, the CMA345 uses an offset geometry that naturally positions the column slightly away from the direct attachment point on the structural member. This creates a gap that routes cables — power, signal, and network — cleanly up through the ceiling without requiring a separate cable grommet or unsightly surface-run conduit. In finished commercial spaces such as boardrooms, lecture theatres, and museum galleries, this detail keeps the overhead installation looking tidy and professional from the audience's perspective.