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2 5.)
Thus the first lesson to be learned
from this discussion is that one needs to
apply the rules for random error propagation, for the particular way you use
your instrument. For example, if you
measure the angle twice in face I and
twice in face II, the standard deviation of
the angle will be 5 seconds. If, however,
you only measure the angles in face I,
you can expect the angles to have an uncertainty of 10 seconds.
The second lesson, which may be the
more important, is that the method of determining the accuracy of theodolites us-
ing DIN 18723 is actually one that measures precision. As with surveying, by accounting as well as possible for systematic errors, it is possible to arrive at an estimate for accuracy. Thus if the angles are
not measured in face I and face II, if collimation has not been checked and adjusted, if the instrument has not been
leveled properly, if the so-called height
of standards adjustment is incorrect, and
so on, then the fundamental accuracy
of the theodolite as given by the DIN
spec may not be true at all!
Environmental Influences
In addition to the above-mentioned
sources of error resulting from practices
and instrumentation, there are the influences of circumstances, mostly environmental (such as atmospheric disturbances) and the practices and adjustment
(or lack thereof) of the accessories that
will affect the accuracy that is achieved.
Examples of these are: optical plummet(s) adjustment, whether the targets
are prisms or precise traverse targets,
whether these targets are mounted on
tripods or on range poles, or whether the
targets are subject to the problem of
phase error, particularly if a pole or mini-pole is used as the target.
In summary, DIN accuracy values indicated for instruments are not the values
to be assumed that can be obtained
when measuring angles. Depending on
how the instrument is used (ignoring accessories and conditions), the angle accuracy may be higher or lower than the
specified value. Once the correct value is
computed, however, it must then be
combined with knowledge of practices,
instrumentation and conditions, including knowledge of the level of adjustment
of all the component parts of the surveying system and accuracies.
Note: Information for this article was
compiled by the technical staffs of the
GIAA members that manufacture theodolites and total stations.
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