If you thought a level simply looked like the narrow yellow levels you pick up at the hardware store, you might be surprised to learn that there are many types of levels and instrument used for leveling purposes. All sorts of professionals need to use levels for purposes such as ensuring that a property is level for building or equipment is level before using it for production. Here is some information about different types of levels.
For instance, one commonly used level that about which you might be unfamiliar is the Abney level. This level utilizes a bubble level as well as an inclinometer and also a helpful sighting tube. The inclinometer helps with angle measuring, while the bubble level, also known as a spirit level, helps one ensure that something is level. We\’ve all probably seen a level with a clear tube that includes a bubble in its liquid. This little tube is part of the Abney level, but beyond the tube, this device looks nothing at all like the typical levels used by the home handyman.
While the device certainly looks unusual to most of us, it is quite commonly used because it is very inexpensive and also very lightweight. An Abney level easily can be taken out to any type of construction site or taking to an area where surveying is needed. Additionally, it also might be used in a national forest or protected wildlife area to measure tree height. Bringing a great deal of heavy equipment into a forested area would be difficult, so an Abney level can be a great option.
Beyond these Abney levels, there are other devices that also incorporate a bubble level, which again also might be called a spirit level. A frame spirit level, for instance, looks like a small square. This commonly will be used by a contractor or perhaps some type of engineer to adjust both vertical surfaces and horizontal surfaces. Because it is square, with bubble levels on the vertical and horizontal plane, you can use it to ensure that walls are level to the floor or perhaps shelves are level or for some other task.
Beyond these two levels, you might encounter a digital protractor, which often is called an electronic protractor. Again, this small device is very lightweight, which makes it easy to take just about anywhere, although it does tend to also come with a higher cost. Still, this handy electronic protractor includes both a clinometer (also called an inclinometer) and a level, so it can be used to measure angles and well as for various leveling tasks.
These are just a few types of levels that are in use today. Levels are used in a wide variety of settings from helping with the alignment of industrial equipment to the construction of buildings, homes and other large structures. Without leveling instruments and other precise instruments, engineering and construction would not be nearly as successful or as safe.
Carey Bourdier loves blogging about precision scientific instruments. For more information about surveying instruments such as an electronic protractor, or to find further information about a telemetric alignment system, visit Warren Knight now.