Plate No.

1
SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS
I. Table 1.1. Surveying Instruments
INSTRUMENT

FIGURE/ PICTURE

DESCRIPTION/USE

POSSIBLE
ERRORS

HANDLING
PRECAUTIONS

Chain
Use for measuring 5-20
meters.

Errors will mostly

come from
personal errors.

To be handled
carefully and not
forcibly.

Tape
Use for measuring 2050 meters.

Tendency to be
placed not
completely
stretched out.

Used for measuring 2-5

meters.

Personal errors will

mostly be present.

Used for checking if

metals are vertically
correct.

Personal error of
attachment or
personal disability

To be handled
carefully and not
forcibly.

Measuring Rod

Plumb Bob

To be handled
carefully and not
forcibly.
To be handled
carefully and not
forcibly stretched.

to see.
Carpenter Level
Used for checking if
things are vertically or
horizontally correct.

Personal error of
placement or
personal disability
to see.

To be handled
carefully and not be
bent.

Ranging Poles
Used for marking
different points
measured in surveying.

Personal error of
placing lightly and
can be easily
tipped off or slant
placement.

To be handled
carefully and not be
bent.

Wooden Pegs
Used for marking
different points in
surveying which
occasionally is marked
permanently.

Personal error of
placing lightly and
can be easily
tipped off or slant
placement

To be handled
carefully and should
not be forced.

Personal error or
eyes disability or
mechanical
malfunction.

Maintained and
handled with caution.

Mechanical
malfunction or
satellite
malfunction.

Maintained and
handled with caution.

Theodolite
Used for measuring
angles horizontally and
vertically.
Global Positioning
System

Used for finding out the

altitude, elevation,
direction and exact
position the surveyor is
standing.

Total Station
Used just like a
theodolite but can be
controlled remotely.

Mechanical
malfunction or
signal discrepancy.

Maintained and
handled with caution.

Personal error and

Handled lightly and

Transit
Used for measuring

horizontal and vertical

angles.

eye disability.

should be handled
correctly.

Used to establishing
different checkpoints on
the horizontal plane.

Personal error and

eye disability.

Handled lightly and

should be handled
correctly.

Used for charting

maps, charts and
planes. It also provides
as a solid and leveled
charting.

Personal error and

may have an
unstable peg leg.

Maintained and
should not put
heaving objects on
top.

Used for different

equipment to be put on
it to be more balanced
and leveled.

Personal error or
land unleveled.

Maintained and
should not put
heaving objects on
top.

Used for measuring

different angles.

Personal error or
eye disability.

Handled lightly and

should not be held
incorrect.

Mechanical
malfunction and
personal error.

Maintained and
handled with caution.

Dumpy Level

Plane Table

Tripod

Jacobs Staff

Laser Tracker

Laser Line Level

Used for measuring

large objects by the use
of different markers
placed on the object
being measured.
Used like a level and
plumb bob altogether to
measure accurately the
vertical and horizontal
orientation to the
surface.

Mechanical
malfunction and
personal error.

Maintained and
handled with caution.

Optical Square
Used to seting out right
angles and
perpendicular lines.

Personal error or
lighting problems.

Handled lightly and

should not be held
incorrect.

Used for measuring

angles with its circular
rim that are divided into

Personal error.

Handled lightly and

should not be held
incorrect.

Graphometer

minutes.
Surveyors Wheel
Used for measuring
yard, meters and halfrods.

Personal error or
mechanical
malfunction.

Maintained and
should not be forcibly
used.

II. References:
Irrigation Water Management: Elements of topographic surveying (n.d.). In Corporate Document Repository. Retrieved July 20, 2014, from
http://www.fao.org/docrep/r7021e/r7021e02.htm
Different Types of Surveying equipment: Old and New (n.d.). In Bright Hub. Retrieved July 20, 2014, from
http://www.brighthubengineering.com/geotechnical-engineering/67776-different-types-of-surveying-equipment-available-in-the-market/
The Surveyor's Basic Tools (n.d.). In Surveyor's History. Retrieved July 20, 2014, from
http://www.surveyhistory.org/the_surveyor's_basic_tools.htm
Laser Tracker (n.d.). In FARO. Retrieved July 20, 2014, from http://www.faro.com/products/metrology/faro-laser-tracker/overview
Lasers (n.d.). In Opti-cal . Retrieved July 20, 2014, from http://www.surveyequipment.com/lasers#.U8vjuPmSwUk