Levels are mechanical or electronic tools that measure the inclination of a surface relative to the earth's surface. Levels vary from simple mechanical devices to complex electronic sensors that digitally readout angular level values. Mechanical levels use a bubble or ball in a vial, water or a pendulum to indicate level.
Levels fall into the general category of measuring tools. Measuring tools are instruments and fixed gages that provide comparative and quantitative measurements of a product's or component's dimensional, form and orientation attributes such as length, thickness, level, plumbness and squareness. Measuring or shop tools include rules, linear scales, protractors and angle gages, squares and fixed gages. Measuring tools are used in construction and building (contractors), drafting and drawing (designers), machine shops and tool rooms (machinists), field work (surveyors) and offices. Construction or building site levels are used by contractors, carpenters, surveyors, or builders, for framing, layout or rafters or stairs, foundation construction, cabinetry, mapping, executing site plans and checking building, or wall surfaces. Machine shop and tool room instruments are used by machinists, engineers, technicians or operators for layout, machine set up and checking of surfaces or parts. Light duty and office levels are lower precision, light weight, or lower cost measuring tools or instruments for office, residential, drafting, or other nondemanding end use. Surveying or field work levels are used by surveyors or field technologists for mapping, executing site plans, and checking building or wall surfaces.
Levels are mechanical or electronic tools that measure the inclination of a surface relative to the earth's surface. Levels vary from simple mechanical devices to complex electronic sensors that digitally readout angular level values. Mechanical levels use a bubble or ball in a vial, water or a pendulum to indicate level.
Levels fall into the general category of measuring tools. Measuring tools are instruments and fixed gages that provide comparative and quantitative measurements of a product's or component's dimensional, form and orientation attributes such as length, thickness, level, plumbness and squareness. Measuring or shop tools include rules, linear scales, protractors and angle gages, squares and fixed gages. Measuring tools are used in construction and building (contractors), drafting and drawing (designers), machine shops and tool rooms (machinists), field work (surveyors) and offices. Construction or building site levels are used by contractors, carpenters, surveyors, or builders, for framing, layout or rafters or stairs, foundation construction, cabinetry, mapping, executing site plans and checking building, or wall surfaces. Machine shop and tool room instruments are used by machinists, engineers, technicians or operators for layout, machine set up and checking of surfaces or parts. Light duty and office levels are lower precision, light weight, or lower cost measuring tools or instruments for office, residential, drafting, or other nondemanding end use. Surveying or field work levels are used by surveyors or field technologists for mapping, executing site plans, and checking building or wall surfaces.
Level types include beam or torpedo levels, precision box or inspection levels, circular or bull’s eye levels, clinometers or inclinometers, lasers or rotary laser levels, precision machinist’s levels, line or pocket levels, plumb bobs, stud or post levels, transit or sighting levels, and water levels. A beam, box beam, I-beam, contractors, or carpenters' level consists of vials or electronic tilt sensors mounted in a long rectangular frame. Precision frame or box levels are used for checking planarity on horizontal and vertical surfaces and shafts in machine tools and other equipment. Circular or bull's eye levels use a disc shaped vial with a single bubble. Clinometers or inclinometers can indicate the angular variation or inclination from horizontal. Laser levels project a spot or indicator onto a surface that is level with the projecting laser level. Machinist's levels are smaller and provide a higher degree of precision compared to the common carpenters' beam or torpedo levels. Line or pocket levels are small levels usually with hooks that can be hung from a line or carried in a pocket. Plumb bobs are attached to a line to provide a vertical or plumb reference. Levels often with plumb and cross test vials designed to attach to studs or posts and aid in establishing a plumb or level condition are called stud or post levels. The transit, transit compass, or transit level is used for plane surveying. Water, water tube, manometer, or hydro levels use leveling effect of water or another liquid to determine if two or more points separated by a large distance on a surface or surfaces are level. Plumb vials are levels with a vial orientated to facilitate checking of vertical inclination or plumbness. Cross vials are levels having the ability to assess level or inclination along two axes. This capability is usually developed using two vials orientated perpendicular to each other.
Important specifications for levels include the angular range, angular resolution and length. Displays for levels can be non-graduated meaning that the level has no display, audible indicator or buzzer, dial display, digital display, direct reading scale, and remote display. Measuring technologies for levels include electronic, mechanical, optical or laser, and vial or spirit. Features include machine or instrument mounted, magnetic holding, linear ruled, and self-leveling.
