DIFFERENT KINDS OF LEVELING INSTRUMENTS &

ACCESSORIES
Levels are the different instruments used for leveling in surveying. There are various types of levels such as
dumpy level, Y level, Cushing’s level, Tilting level, Cooke’s reversible level and automatic level instruments
for leveling in surveying. The process of measuring vertical distances in surveying is called leveling.
To perform leveling, we need some level instruments to focus or to read the object. Nowadays, the technology
also introduced in surveying and so many easy measuring instruments are designed. Here we discuss about the
different levels used in leveling.

Types of Levels Used in Leveling

Following are the types of different levels used for leveling in surveying:
1. Dumpy Level
Dumpy level is the most commonly used instrument in leveling. In this level the telescope is restricted against
movement in its horizontal plane and telescope is fixed to its support. A bubble tube is provided on the top of
the telescope.

But however, the leveling head can be rotated in horizontal plane with the telescope. The telescope is internal
focusing telescope is a metal tube contains four main parts as given below.
 Objective Lens - Objective lens should be made as the combination of crown glass and flint glass.
Because of this some defects like spherical aberration and chromatic aberration can be eliminated. A
thin layer coating which has smaller refractive index than glass is provided on the objective lens to
reduce the loss due to reflection.
 Negative Lens - Negative lens located co axial to the objective lens. So, the optical axis for both lenses
is same.
 Diaphragm - Diaphragm is fitted inside the main tube which contains cross hairs (vertical and
horizontal) and these are adjusted by capstan headed screws. The cross hairs are made of dark metal as
filament wires which are inserted in diaphragm ring in exact position. For stadia leveling purposes, extra
two horizontal cross hairs are provided above and below the horizontal wire.

 Eye-piece - Eyepiece lens enable the ability to sight the object together with cross hairs. The image seen
through eye piece is magnified and inverted. Some eyepieces erect the image into normal view and those
are called as erecting eyepieces.
2. Y Level
Y level or Wye-level consists y-shaped frames which supports the telescope. Telescope cane be removed from
the y-shaped supports by releasing clamp screws provided. These y-shaped frames are arranged to vertical
spindle which helps to cause the rotation of telescope.
Compared to dumpy level, adjustments can be rapidly tested in y- level. But, there may be a chance of frictional
wear of open parts of level.

3. Cushing’s Level
In case of Cushing’s level, the telescope is restricted against rotation in its longitudinal axis and it is non-
removable. But, the object end and eye piece end can be interchangeable and reversible.

4. Tilting Level
Tilting level consist a telescope which enabled for the horizontal rotation as well as rotation about 4 degrees in
its vertical plane. Centering of bubble can be easily done in this type of level. But, for every setup bubble is to
be centered with the help of tilting screw.
The main advantage of tilting level is it is useful when the few observations are to be taken with one setup of
level.

5.

Cooke’s Reversible Level

Cooke’s reversible level is the combination of dumpy level and y-level. In this instrument, the telescope can be reversed
without rotation the instrument. Collimation error can be eliminated in this case because of bubble left and bubble
right reading of telescope.

6. Automatic Level
This is also known as the self-aligning level. This instrument leveled automatically within a certain tilt range
by means of a compensating device (the tilt compensator).  telescope can be tilted slightly about its horizontal
axis with the help of its tilting screw. In this instrument the line of collimation is made horizontal for each
observation by means of the tilting screw.
Levelling Staff/Levelling Rod
Levelling staff is a graduated rod of rectangular cross-section. In levelling, the levelling staff is kept vertical at
the point whose elevation is known or the point where elevation is to be determined. The levelling staff is
sighted through the telescope of the levelling instrument that has been properly set up and adjusted. The staff
reading corresponding to the cross hair is noted. They staffs are available in lengths of 3 and 4metres. Brass
capsare usually fitted at the bottom of the staff to reduce wear and tear. The bottom of the staff represents zero
reading and the graduations on the staff gives the distances from the bottom of the brass cap. Each meter is
divided into 200 divisions. The thickness of each division is 5mm. the divisions are painted alternatively as
black and white. The top of the numeral indicates the division to which it corresponds.

Types of Levelling Staff

 Self-Reading Staff
This type of leveling staff is most commonly used one. The staffman holds the self-reading staff at the
point and the instrumentman takes the reading on the staff.

 Target Staff
The staffman holds the staff at the point. There is a target attached to the staff, which can be moved up
or down. The instrument man directs the staff man to slide the target in the staff till the line of sight
bisects the target. The position of the target is fixed now. The staffman takes the reading of the staff.
Classification of levelling staff based on construction
 Solid Staff
It is available in one length of 3m with no joints or hinges in between. There is no possibility of relative
movement between parts and hence readings are accurate

 Folding Staff
They are available in two pieces of 2m, hinged together so that one piece can be folded over the other
when not used. When taking readings, the two pieces are unfolded to form a staff of 4m. IS 1779:1961
covers the specifications for 4m levelling staff. It shall be made of well-seasoned timber of width 75mm
and thickness 18mm. The folding staff is of detachable type with a locking device at the back and hence
can be detached and used as a 2m staff when required. It is more accurate than the telescopic staff.
 Telescopic Staff
The telescopic staff consists of three pieces with a solid upper piece and two hollow lower pieces. The
upper piece of 1.25m length can be slid into the middle piece of 1.25m, which in turn can be slid into the
lower piece of 1.5m. The staff can be extended to full length when being used. The three pieces when
fully extended are kept in place by flat brass springs. They are also called as Sop with pattern staff. It is
not as accurate as the folding staff
 Surveying Accessories
Surveying accessories include the equipment, tools, and other devices used in surveying that are not considered
to be an integral part of the surveying instrument itself.

TRIPODS
Tripods are also a simple but incredibly useful accessory and a must have for
surveyors using lasers, levels, total stations & more! Tripods are essential in
holding survey equipment steady and allowing for accurate readings and results.

Tribrachs
Tribrachs are attachment plates which secure surveying equipment to tripods.
They play an important role in measurement accuracy providing torsional rigidity
and allowing for precision in measurement. It is crucial that tribrachs can
withstand the harsh and rugged conditions of construction sites.

Carrier
Carriers are available as either an Optical Carrier, Non-Optical
Carrier or a Laser Carrier and are generally used as part of a matched
manufacturer compatible set with a Tribrach and Prism Assembly.

Gammon Reel and Plumb Bob

The Plumb Bob and gammon Reel is the old standard for short-distance
sighting, particularly for establishing temporary points. Steadiness of the
holder can be enhanced by the use braces or any type of framework. Various
types of inexpensive string-line targets are also available.

Prism Poles
Prism Poles are the most common sight used. These poles are made of various
materials and in different lengths. The common prism poles can be extended to
allow for changing the height of the prism to avoid obstructions.
Prism Pole/Rod Levels
The circular level (bull’s-eye) is used to maintain both level rods and prism
poles in a vertical position. An out-of-adjustment bubble used on either a level
rod or a prism pole can cause errors in both angle and distance measurements.

Force-centering Targets/Prisms
Tribrach-mounted prisms are required for the control survey. The range poles
mentioned above are not to be used for the control survey nor should they be
attached to a tribrach to extend the height of the prism.

Prisms
The single lens, tiltable holder with provisions holder with provisions for
direct connection on the top of a prism pole or attached to a tribrach is the
most common type used in most survey work. The prism assembly is
generally equipped between a sighting target mounted above or below is the
prism to provide parallel sight between the sighting and measuring beams.

Surveyors Compass
A circumferentor, or surveyor's compass, is an instrument used
in surveying to measure horizontal angles. ... A circumferentor consists of a
circular brass box containing a magnetic needle, which moves freely over a
brass circle, or compass divided into 360 degrees.

Prismatic Compass 
A navigation and surveying instrument which is extensively used to find out
the bearing of the traversing and included angles between them, waypoints
(an endpoint of the course) and direction. The compass is generally used to
run a traverse line.