Topcon DT-104 Electronic Digital 5″ Transit Theodolite

What is a Theodolite?

A theodolite in the simplest terms is a an instrument of precision used for measurement of angles along the horizontal and vertical planes.

Theodolite Types

Transit Theodolite:

Theodolites in which the telescope can be rotated about the horizontal axis in the vertical plane through an angle of 180, are called transit theodolites.

Non-Transit Theodolite:

Just as the name suggests. Non-transit theodolites do not allow the rotation along horizontal axis.

Uses of Theodolite:

Theodolites are universal surveying instruments mainly used for:

• Locating points on a line
• Measuring horizontal and vertical angles
• Prolonging survey lines
• Finding the difference of level
• Setting out grade
• Ranging
• Tachometric Surveying

Theodolite Parts:

Telescope

Telescope of the theodolite is used to view targets or objects or to bisect the station point. This component helps to measure angles that are needed for complete description of land that is between two station points.

Parts of Theodolite telescope are as follows:

• Eye Piece
• Diaphragm
• Focusing Ring
• Angular Lens
• Object Glass
• Sighting Collimator

LCD & Keyboard:

A theodolite gives digital reading that is displayed on the LCD. Along with LCD there is a keyboard with different controls to attain various modes/targets.

On Keyboard there are six buttons that have a specific feature:

• Power Button
• Function
• R/L
• V%
• Zero Set
• Hold

Optical Plummet:

This is used to view the center of the theodolite. The optical plummet helps for centering of the theodolite. A fine screw is also present to make the Index Mark visible.

Vertical clamp/Tangent Screw:

To hold the telescope at a particular vertical angle, a vertical clamp is used. It consists of further two screws.

The larger one is used to stop the motion of telescope by clamping it and smaller one is used for slow motion of telescope in vertical plane so that the cross hairs are bisected to the station point.

Horizontal Clamp/Tangent Screw:

To hold the telescope at a particular horizontal angle, a horizontal clamp is used. It consists of further two screws.

The larger one is used to stop the motion of telescope by clamping it and smaller one is used for slow motion of telescope in horizontal plane so that the cross hairs are bisected to the station point.

Bubble Tube, Leveling Screws and Circular Bubble:

Bubble Tube, Leveling Screws and Circular Bubble are parts of the theodolite that are helpful in setting up the instrument.

The leveling screws help to level the instrument along with circular bubble (bull’s eye).

Base Plate:

This is the bottom most part of the theodolite.

1. Carrying Handle      
2. Handling Screw           
3. Battery case                        
4. Vertical clamp knob    
5. Vertical tangent Screw    
6. Horizontal Clamp Screw 
7. Horizontal tangent Screw
8. Levelling Screws/ Foot Screws
9. Base Plate
10. LCD/Display
11. Plate Level
12. Eye Piece
13. Focusing Knob

Terminologies used in Theodolite Surveying

1- Face left

The theodolite position in which the Vertical Circle is on the viewer’s left while he looks into the telescope.

Face right:

The theodolite position in which the Vertical Circle is on the viewer’s right while he looks into the telescope. 

2 – Vertical Axis

The imaginary axis about which the telescope is rotated in horizontal plane.

3 – Horizontal Axis

The imaginary axis, about which the telescope is rotated on the vertical plane, passing through two height marks and is also known as Trunnion Axis or Traverse Axis.

4 – Centering:

Centering means to set the theodolite exactly over a station point so that its vertical axis lies exactly above the station-mark. This is achieved by means of plumb bob suspending from a small hook attached to the vertical axis of the theodolite or by fixing one leg and moving the two legs of the tripod stand while viewing through the Optical Plummet.

5 – Transiting

Transiting refers to plunging or reversing. It is the process of turning the telescope about its horizontal axis through 180⁰ in the vertical plane thus bringing it upside down and making it point, exactly in opposite direction.

6 – Swinging the Telescope

The term refers to the turning the telescope about its vertical axis in the horizontal plane.

A swing is called right swing or left swing according to the rotation that can either be clockwise or counter clockwise.

Setting the instrument

1 – Tripod Setup:

Following steps are involved in setting up a tripod.

a) Place the tripod over the station point, set legs at a convenient height, and roughly center and level the tripod head by naked eye.

b) Firmly fix the tripod feet in position. If necessary, adjust the heights of the tripod legs to re-center the tripod. 

2 – Setup (Centering & leveling)

a) Place and fix theodolite on tripod.

b) Looking through the optical plummet, focus the centering index mark (by the knob present on the optical plummet) so that it is clearly visible. Slide the theodolite on tripod until the reference mark is centered in the optical plummet.

c) Fully tight the centering screw. Look through optical plummet we may adjust the theodolite foot screws for alignment with reference mark.

d) By adjusting the length of two tripod legs at a time while keeping the other one still, the circular bubble can be leveled without causing disturbance to the previously accomplished centering (check the optical plummet to see this is true).

e) Now, Rotate the theodolite until its plate bubble is parallel to any two foot screws, and then adjust Foot screws to center the bubble. Now rotate the instrument body by 90, and center the bubble with the third foot screw only. Repeat this procedure for each 90 revolution of the instrument until the bubble is centered for all four positions.

f) Now check the optical plummet: adjustment of the foot screws has probably disturbed the centering.  Loosen the tripod screw, and slowly translate (do not rotate) the theodolite around until it is exactly centered over the survey point mark, then tight the screw.     

3- Packing Up:

(a)  Turn off

(b)  Align the theodolite as it was before packing

(c)  Bring the theodolite foot screws to the center of their travel.

(d)  Holding the theodolite handle with one hand, undo the centering screw with the other.

(e)  Put the theodolite back in the box in its original position and close the clasps.

Precautionary Measures

• Set the instrument carefully.
• Use theodolite carefully.
• Bisect the target with accuracy.
• Unclamp before attaining required movement.
• Centering, leveling & focusing must be done with accuracy to make our target free of errors.
•  Check for parallax by moving your head up and down and left to right.
•  Do not carry an instrument on a tripod.
• Do not leave equipment unattended.
• Put into the carrying case for storage and place in a dry area when it isn’t used, do not subject to vibrating, dust or high humidity.

Learning Outcomes

1 – What is plunging?

Ans: Transiting is also known as plunging or reversing that is reversal of telescope by 180° in the vertical plane.

2 – What is trunnion axis?

Ans: Horizontal axis is also called as trunnion axis. 

3 – What is the use of theodolite?

• Measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
• Locating points on a line.
• Prolonging survey lines.
• Finding the difference of level.
• Setting out grade.
• Ranging.
• Tachometric Surveying.

4 – Upon what factors sensitivity of circular bubble depends?

Ans: It depends upon following factors: The radius of curvature, Diameter of bubble tube, Length of bubble tube & viscosity of liquid used inside the tube. 

5 – What is right and left swing?

Ans: Right swing:If telescope is turned clockwise and

   Left swing: When telescope is turned anti-clockwise.   

8 – What is sighting collimator?

Ans: Collimator sights are ‘blind’ sights; that is, they are used with both eyes open while one looks Into the sight, with one eye open and moving the head to alternately see the sight and then at the target, or using one eye to partially see the sight and target at the same time. They are also referred to as collimating sights or “occluded eye gun sight” (OEG)    

9 – How Theodolite is used to measure distances?

Ans: It is used as tacheometer to find horizontal and vertical distances if we provide stadia hairs. 

10 – What is the function of the shifting head?

Ans: Quick perfect centering may be done by moving the shifting head slowly.