Maintenance Protocols Flashcards

How can the circular bubble on a leveling rod be checked?

Answer: Compare the rod against a plumb line or a properly adjusted instrument's vertical crosshair

A plumb line or verified vertical crosshair gives a true vertical to check whether the rod bubble is correct.

Which leveling-rod condition should be checked regularly because it directly affects every reading?

Answer: Wear or damage on the base (shoe) plate

A worn or bent base plate changes the zero point of the rod and adds an error to every reading.

What is the purpose of the tripod leg hinge tension adjustment?

Answer: To keep legs from swinging too freely or binding, so the setup stays stable

Properly tensioned hinges keep the tripod head steady and prevent settlement or movement during observations.

Before a GNSS survey, which item is a key equipment check?

Answer: Antenna cables and connectors for damage and a secure fit

Damaged cables or loose connectors can cause signal loss and bad positions.

Why should batteries be checked more often during cold-weather fieldwork?

Answer: Cold temperatures reduce available battery capacity

Low temperatures slow battery chemistry, so a battery runs out sooner than it would in mild weather.

What should be done after an instrument takes a hard fall while mounted on the tripod?

Answer: Stop using it for precise work until it is checked and recalibrated

A shock can shift internal optics or axes, so the instrument must be checked before its data can be trusted.

What is the standard method for adjusting the plate level of a theodolite or total station?

Answer: Center the bubble, rotate 180°, and correct half the deviation with the adjusting screw

Rotating 180° doubles the error, so half is removed with the vial adjusting screw and half with the leveling screws.