Sanus Wall Mount

Box set televisions, more commonly know as analog TVs, are now a thing of the past. Since the early 2000s, flat panel plasma and LCD televisions have made their way into homes in substantial numbers. However, unlike box set televisions, flat panel televisions cannot be placed on just any flat surface. Flat panel televisions are best placed on walls or hung vertically from above. With a simple mounting kit, televisions can now be located in places formerly thought to be unusable wasted space in the home.

Instructions

1 Decide where the television will be placed and make sure there is enough wall space for it. Many people often misjudge the true size of a flat panel television until they get it home and realize there isn't adequate space for it. By planning ahead, you can make almost any "corner" area or unused wall space a great place to hang a flat panel television.
2 Pick the appropriate mounting bracket designed for your plasma television. Most manufacturers offer a wide range of mounting configurations in kit form. Aftermarket companies also produce mounting kits that will fit most models with very little adjustment. The mounting bracket needs to be able to support the weight of the television, with an additional margin of error in case the television is accidentally bumped. Also, consider a swivel or tilt mount to give the television added flexibility to combat glare or reconfigured seating arrangements.
3 Locate the vertical wall studs located inside the walls of the room where the television will be placed before mounting any part of the wall bracket. If you have trouble locating the studs, or do not know what to look for, you should use a stud finder.
4 Turn on the stud finder and press it against the wall. Slide the stud finder across the wall at the approximate height of the television mount location. It will beep when the stud finder is directly above a 2-inch by 4-inch wall stud. Slide the stud finder back and forth slowly, and mark the wall with a pencil at every beep. These are the centers of your wall studs.
5 Drill pilot holes using a 1/8-inch drill bit where the mounting brackets will be screwed to the studs. Using a large Phillips screwdriver, attach the brackets directly to the studs in the wall at the desired height. Use a level to ensure that the tops and bottoms of the brackets are completely level with the floor. Most mounting kits tell you how far above the ground is the best mounting height for a specific size of plasma television.
6 Test the wall mounts after they have been mounted. Pull sharply on each wall mount in a downward direction. The mounts should flex slightly, but not give or move noticeably. Mounted improperly, or without enough supporting strength, they could fail, which would result in damage to the wall and the television. It is best to use the included mounting screws (or bolts). Use 2-1/2-inch deck screws if mounting screws were not included with the mounting kit.
7 Attach the remaining brackets to the television. There are mounting holes on the back of the television that are likely to be covered by plastic caps. Remove the caps by popping them off and attach the brackets in these locations. When you are finished, you will have mounting brackets hanging on the wall, and corresponding mounting brackets hanging from the rear of your plasma television.
8 Hang the television on the wall by connecting the television brackets to the wall brackets. You should not try this on your own. Use an assistant to support the television while you align the brackets. The television may be a bit heavier or harder to handle than it looks due to its large bulk. Apply a bit of pressure if necessary to align the brackets, then secure them to each other with the hardware provided. This usually includes two pairs of hex-head bolts with washers and lock washers of the appropriate size. Tighten the hardware securely. Again, retest the entire mounted assembly for strength.
9 Connect the cable and other inputs to the plasma television, then wipe it down with a clean rag. Vacuum the area beneath the mounting to remove any drywall dust and metal shavings produced by your work.