Two Peg Test Method
Two Peg Test Method
• This method is either for an optical or digital
level, or a transit being used as a level. If this
error is corrected with a transit. It also
improves the accuracy of its vertical readings.
• Very simple, but provides a way to test the
accuracy of a level.
Adjusting the level
The two-peg test
How much is the collimation error ()?
Collimation error - the line of collimation is not horizontal, when the level is levelled
1. Establish a test line on an approximately flat surface.
2. Compute the elevation difference between the test points (A and B)!
a1 b1
d1 d2
A P B
d1 d2
The effect of collimation error cancels, when d1=d2.
Thus the height difference is: H AB a1 b1
Adjusting the level
3. Move the instrument to an external point on the extension of the AB line.
4. Compute the elevation difference from the observations (note that the elevation
difference contains the effect of the collimation error)!
a2 b2
d1 d 2 d3
d3
A B
d1+d2 d3 Q
H AB a2 d1 d 2 d3 b2 d3
H AB a2 b2 d1 d2
5. The true elevation difference is already computed from the previous configuration:
H AB a1 b1
6. Thus the collimation error is:
a2 b2 a1 b1
d1 d 2
Problem No. 1
In the two peg test method of a dumpy level the following
observations were taken.
Instrument Setup Near A Instrument Setup Near B
Rod Reading A 1.505m 0.938m
Rod Reading B 2.054m 1.449m
a.) What is the difference in elevation between A and B
b.) If the line of sight is not in adjustment. Determine the correct rod reading
on aA with the instrument still set up @ B.
c.) Determine the error of line of sight.
Problem No. 2
In the two peg test method using model wild NA2 dumpy level. The
following observations were taken:
Instrument at C Instrument at D
Rod Reading A 1.103m 0.568m
Rod Reading B 0.991m 0.289m
Point C is equidistant from A and B, D is 12m from point A and 72m from
point B.
a.) What is the difference in elevation between A and B
b.) With the level in the same point at D, To what rod reading on B should the
line of sight be adjusted.
This method is either for an optical or digital
level, or a transit being used as a level. If this
error is corrected with a transit, it also improves
the accuracy of its vertical angle readings. The
two-peg test is very simple, but provides a way
to test the accuracy of a level, and if you know
which screw to turn (for analog instruments) or
menu to follow (for the digital level), you can
adjust it to remove the error. See specific
instrument instructions for making adjustments.
This method is either for an optical or digital
level, or a transit being used as a level. If this
error is corrected with a transit, it also improves
the accuracy of its vertical angle readings. The
two-peg test is very simple, but provides a way
to test the accuracy of a level, and if you know
which screw to turn (for analog instruments) or
menu to follow (for the digital level), you can
adjust it to remove the error. See specific
instrument instructions for making adjustments.
The basic principle is that since the error in level
readings results from the instrument not
sighting exactly horizontally, is thus looking up
or down at some angle, and that this angle is the
same whichever way it's sighting:
if you place the instrument exactly midway
between two rod sightings, the vertical error
reading on the rod is the same for each, thus the
difference in reading between the rods will still
give you an accurate elevation difference.
Knowing this, we can accurately determine the
elevation of B relative to A above. If we then
move the instrument to sight from A to B, with
the instrument exactly on a reading at A, we can
detect the error at that distance, and can adjust
the reading to give us the true reading predicted
for B.
Process: 1. In reasonably level terrain, mark out
two rod positions (A and B) on stable surfaces
about 30 m apart, and set up the instrument
exactly midway between them at C. A good
place is along a sidewalk (preferably in a shaded
area, or on an overcast day, to avoid optical
problems from heat-derived air turbulence),
using sidewalk chalk to mark your points.
2. Sight to A to get a rod reading, then to B to
get a reading. Assign zero to A, and derive B as
A-B. Say we get 1.524 at A and 1.501 at B, the
elevation at B is 0.023.
(It doesn't matter what the elevation above sea
level is – we only need what its elevation is
relative to A.)
3. Move the instrument to ~3m from position A,
and get a new reading to A. Subtract the
elevation at B (0.023) to get the foresight you
should expect to get. Say your reading at A is
1.257: FScomputed = 1.257 – 0.023 = 1.234 4.
Now sight to B to get a reading, and compare it
to the expected reading.
5. If there's an error, your FSactual will be
different from this, and requires an adjustment.
Your task is to move it up or down until you get
the computed FS. For analog instruments, you
can adjust the cross hairs by (a) loosening the
top capstan screw that allows it to move up, or
the bottom capstan screw that allows it to move
down; then (b) tightening to other capstan
screw. Think of the capstan screws as two ends
of a continuously adjusting screw – you're
pulling (loosening) with one and simultaneously
pushing (tightening) with the other.