Vivotek AM-117 40cm Pendant Pipe Mount
Overview
The AM-117 is a pendant-style pipe mount designed to extend camera reach in high-ceiling surveillance installations. Built from aluminum alloy and measuring 40cm in vertical length, the AM-117 delivers the standoff distance needed to position Vivotek IP cameras at angles and heights that maximize sightline clarity without introducing structural or aesthetic complications. At 902 grams, the design is lightweight enough to simplify ceiling installation while maintaining load stability under typical camera payloads.
Key Features
- 40cm Extended Reach: Provides sufficient vertical drop from ceiling or pipe-mounted infrastructure to position cameras at angles that eliminate blind spots in high-traffic areas. Critical in warehouses and retail spaces where overhead ceiling heights exceed 12 feet and downward sightlines are necessary to capture subject faces and merchandise details.
- Aluminum Alloy Construction: Corrosion-resistant material resists oxidation in humidity-prone environments (retail stockrooms, cold storage, wet processing areas). Aluminum is non-ferrous, reducing concerns about electromagnetic interference and compatibility with network cabling routed nearby.
- Lightweight at 902g: Keeps total suspended weight manageable, reducing stress on ceiling anchors and simplifying installation labor. Allows single-technician mounting without risk of overloading standard drop-ceiling grids or suspended pipe systems.
- White Finish: Neutral aesthetic integrates into standard office and retail ceilings without standing out. Maintains professional appearance in customer-facing spaces while delivering functional surveillance infrastructure.
- Quick Installation Design: Reduces on-site assembly time and labor costs. Minimal fasteners and straightforward connection points mean faster deployment across multi-location rollouts.
- Vivotek Pendant-Mount Compatibility: Engineered for direct attachment to Vivotek models with standard pendant base threading. Verify camera model compatibility before ordering to confirm the mount interface matches your selected camera.
Ideal Deployment Contexts
The AM-117 performs well in retail checkouts, warehouse aisles, fulfillment centers, and office atriums where ceiling heights exceed typical wall-mount reach and downward-facing camera positions improve identification and forensic detail. High-traffic zones benefit most because the extended angle reduces parallax distortion and captures subject facial features and upper-body detail at approach and departure points. In cold storage and climate-controlled facilities, aluminum's resistance to condensation makes it more reliable than steel alternatives prone to rust under temperature cycling.
Integration & Compatibility
The AM-117 is a passive mechanical accessory and does not require power, configuration, or software integration. Mounting compatibility is specific to Vivotek camera models with pendant-base threading; cross-brand camera attachment is not recommended without mechanical verification. Consult the camera mounting and installation guide and your selected camera's technical documentation to confirm the interface thread size and load rating before final purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Vivotek camera models are compatible with the AM-117?
A: The AM-117 is designed for Vivotek pendant-mount camera models. Confirm compatibility by checking your camera model's installation guide or contacting the manufacturer. Standard metric threads are typical, but verification is essential before ordering.
Q: Can the AM-117 be used with non-Vivotek cameras?
A: Mechanical compatibility cannot be assumed across brands. If your camera has a pendant-base mount with matching thread size and pitch, physical attachment may be possible, but this is not a tested or supported configuration. Verify thread specifications before attempting cross-brand use.
Q: Is the AM-117 suitable for outdoor ceiling installations?
A: The aluminum alloy construction resists corrosion in humid environments, but the AM-117 itself carries no specific outdoor IP rating. If mounted on covered outdoor soffits or in non-rain-exposed overhead locations, it performs well. Direct exposure to rain or salt spray may require additional sealing or protective coatings.
Q: What is the maximum camera payload the AM-117 can support?
A: Payload specifications are not provided in the technical documentation. Consult Vivotek's installation guidance for your specific camera model or contact technical support with the camera model number and weight to confirm safe load capacity.
Q: Does the AM-117 come with mounting hardware and fasteners?
A: Verify package contents and required fasteners in the detailed product documentation or manufacturer instructions before ordering. Confirm that ceiling anchor hardware for your specific ceiling type (drywall, concrete, metal deck) is included or sourced separately.
Q: How should the AM-117 be installed on a standard drop ceiling?
A: Standard drop ceilings typically require specific anchor hardware (threaded rods, braces, or specialized clips) rated for pendant weight and camera payload. Use structural-grade anchors rated for your total suspended weight. Avoid relying on ceiling grid alone; secure to building structure above the grid. Follow the camera and mount manufacturer's installation instructions and consult a licensed electrician or systems integrator if uncertain.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The AM-117 is a straightforward accessory that solves a real installation constraint: getting a camera to the right angle when your ceiling is too high or your wall coverage is incomplete. At 40cm of reach and 902 grams, the AM-117 keeps the suspended assembly light enough that standard drop-ceiling grid bracing won't be stretched, which matters when you're scaling across a 50-camera retail or warehouse deployment. The aluminum construction won't rust if humidity spikes—important in food processing and cold storage where steel mounts corrode fast.
Technical Highlights:
- 40cm Vertical Drop: Positions the camera 16 inches below the ceiling plane, enabling a downward sightline that captures facial features and merchandise detail at approach. Reduces the parallax distortion that occurs when shooting nearly horizontal through checkout lanes or warehouse racking.
- 902g Weight Budget: Keeps total pendant-plus-camera load modest enough for standard M10 threaded rod and drop-ceiling bracing hardware. Eliminates the need for heavy structural reinforcement and keeps labor costs down on multi-location rollouts.
- Aluminum Alloy (No Steel Corrosion): In humidity-prone environments (retail stockrooms above 70% RH, cold storage cycling through condensation), aluminum holds its finish far longer than painted steel, reducing maintenance and repainting frequency.
Deployment Considerations:
- Ceiling Anchor is Your Responsibility: The AM-117 itself is the mount; the structural load-bearing connection to the ceiling is not included. You must source and install appropriate anchors (threaded rods, expansion bolts, or beam clamps) rated for your total suspended weight plus safety margin. Underestimate this and the whole assembly comes down.
- Compatibility Verification is Non-Negotiable: The AM-117 assumes a standard Vivotek pendant-base interface. Confirm thread size, pitch, and load rating for your specific camera model before ordering. Cross-brand use is not a good bet without mechanical verification.
- Installation Labor Cannot Be Cut: Drop-ceiling installations require above-grid bracing and careful anchor placement. Hire or assign experienced technicians to this task; botched ceiling mounts are a common source of warranty claims and safety complaints.
Best fit: multi-location retail chains and warehouse automation deployments where you need 10–50 overhead pendant mounts on a predictable timeline. If you're building a single high-ceiling site or retrofitting an unusual atrium geometry, engineer each installation individually rather than assuming the AM-117 is a plug-and-play fix. In cold storage and humidity-heavy facilities, the aluminum construction pays for itself in reduced corrosion maintenance compared to steel alternatives.
