How to Set Up a Theodolite

During the course of training for the practice of land surveying, the surveyor candidate or student will be trained to set up a theodolite. A theodolite can be optical or electronic. In both cases, the process is the same. It is a precise and time-consuming process, learned in part by experience and in part by theory. The end result, if properly accomplished is worth the effort.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A theodolite
• A tripod
• Information related to the survey or practice plan.

1. Set the tripod over the survey point with the head level and legs making about a 70-degree angle with the ground. Mount the theodolite on the tripod.

2. Secure the front tripod leg and move the two other legs to center the theodolite by using the plumb bob. Secure the back two legs.

3. Adjust the length of one leg of the tripod at a time, while keeping the other two still. Use the plumb bob to level the circular bubble without disturbing the centering.

4. Rotate the theodolite on the tripod head until its plate bubble is parallel to any two footscrews. Adjust those two footscrews to center the bubble.

5. Rotate the theodolite body 90 degrees to the left. Center the bubble with the third footscrew. Repeat until the bubble is centered for all four positions.

6. Loosen the tripod screw. Rotate the theodolite body around until centered over the survey point, then tighten the screw. Repeat the leveling process until the theodolite is level and centered.

Tips & Warnings

• There are no awards for speed in setting up a theodolite properly. Speed in the process will come naturally, through repetition of the proper steps.

• A theodolite is a precision instrument. It is delicate and should be transported in its proper case and handled with care.

References

• Leveling and Centering a Theodolite

Resources

• Surveying for Field Scientists