Salahaddin University-Erbil

College of Engineering
Department of Geomatics (Surveying)

Basic Surveying Instruments

Practical lecture #10

INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT

Plate Vial (tube bubble) inspection (by Electronic Theodolite):

Theodolite instruments are equipped with a plate vial containing a tube bubble that is centered to
level the instrument or in other words, the horizontal axis of the instrument parallel to plate vial
should be perpendicular to the vertical axis of the instrument. By turning the instrument, the bubble
should ideally remain centered, but if not then we must adjust the bubble. In many cases, the series
of tests and adjustments may take several times depending upon the state of the instrument.

Equipment/Tools required:
 Theodolite (Kolida in our case)

Procedure:
Inspection;
After setting up the instrument, rotate the alidade (instrument) 180˚ and check the plate vial
whether the bubble remains in the center or not.
Adjustment;
1. If the bubble drifts away from the center after rotating the alidade, bring the bubble half
way back to the center by the two leveling screws parallel to the plate vial.
2. Correct the remaining half way by turning the bubble adjusting screws with a specific
adjusting pin.
3. Carry out an inspection of the plate vial by rotating the instrument alidade 180˚. If the
bubble drifts out of position, repeat the above steps.
4. Turn the instrument 90˚ to adjust the bubble to the center of the vial according to third
screw.
5. Repeat inspection until the bubble remains in position in all directions.

Result:
It is required to inspect instruments regularly to determine whether they are viable (OK) or not. In
this test, it shall become obvious whether the tube bubble (vial) of the instrument in question is
viable or reliable to be used.