Chief CMA348W

The Chief CMA348W is a large venue vibration isolating coupler designed for ceiling-mounted projector installations. It connects two Chief CMS extension columns (1.5" NPT thread) and uses a patented spring-loaded mechanism to absorb and isolate common building vibrations — including HVAC systems, foot traffic, road traffic, and slamming doors — before they can reach the lower column and projector. The result is a noticeably steadier projected image in demanding large-venue environments such as auditoriums, conference halls, houses of worship, and classrooms. Finished in white to match white column and ceiling installations, the CMA348W supports total system weights from 15,9 to 45,4 kg and fits within a standard 61 cm × 61 cm ceiling tile.

Patented Spring-Loaded Vibration Isolation

The CMA348W uses a patented spring-loaded coupler mechanism to break the direct rigid path between the upper and lower extension columns. Building vibrations — HVAC rumble, footfall on the floor above, road traffic, and door slams — are all transmitted through the structure and straight up into a conventional column stack. Here, the spring assembly absorbs those inputs before they reach the projector, resulting in a visibly steadier image on screen. In large venues where a projector can be projecting onto a 10+ metre screen, even tiny oscillations at the lens translate to distracting on-screen movement. This mechanism directly solves that problem without requiring any changes to the projector mount itself.

Wide Weight Range — 15,9 to 45,4 kg

The isolator is engineered to function correctly only within a specific system load range: 15,9 to 45,4 kg total weight hanging below the coupler — counting the lower column, the projector mount, and the projector itself. This window covers the vast majority of large-venue single-projector rigs (a typical RPAU mount weighs about 1,8 kg; an RPMAU about 2,3 kg; and a large VCMU truss mount around 15 kg). Specifying the correct load is critical: too light and the springs do not compress correctly; too heavy and isolation efficiency drops. Verifying the total sub-coupler system weight before ordering ensures the spring mechanism performs as designed once the installation is complete.

Steadier image. Same columns. Zero structural changes.

Full Legrand Chief MFG USA Warranty · TAA information: check with distributor

1.5" NPT Thread — Broad Column Compatibility

The CMA348W accepts the industry-standard 1.5" NPT (and NPSM) thread used across Chief's CMS extension column range, as well as compatible third-party columns. This standardised thread means the coupler integrates cleanly into any existing Chief column-based installation without additional adapters. For integrators specifying new builds, it also preserves full flexibility on column length selection — any CMS column length can be used above and below the isolator to achieve the exact ceiling-drop required.

Fits Standard 61 cm × 61 cm Ceiling Tile

The CMA348W's expanded footprint — 58,4 cm × 58,4 cm — is designed to fit within a standard 61 cm × 61 cm (2' × 2') suspended ceiling tile. This matters enormously on retrofit and new-build jobs in commercial buildings: the coupler can be installed without cutting or modifying surrounding ceiling tiles, keeping the ceiling aesthetic clean and the installation fully reversible. The height of only 15,2 cm also minimises the additional drop added to the overall column assembly, giving installers maximum flexibility when ceiling height is limited.