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( Reaffirmed 2006 )
IS 5706:1993

(Reaffirmed 2016)

(Reaffirmed 2015)

Indian Standard
(Reaffirmed 2014)
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS - SPIRIT LEVELS
FOR USE IN PRECISION ENGINEERING -
SPECIFICATION (Reaffirmed 2013)

( First Revision _)

(Reaffirmed 2012)

UDC 531-717c81 : 528.541.1

(Reaffirmed 2011)

(Reaffirmed 2010)

(Reaffirmed 2009)

(Reaffirmed 2008)

(Reaffirmed 2007)

(Reaffirmed 2006)

@ BIS 1993

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS (Reaffirmed 2005)

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

June 1993 Price Group 2

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Optical and Mathematical Instruments Sectional Committee, LM 20

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard ( First Revtsion ) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the
draft finalized by the Optical and Mathematical Instruments Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Light Mechanical Engineering Division Council.
This standard was first published in 1970. In this revision clauses 3.1 to 3.7 on terminology
have been incorporated.
This standard covers three types of levels used in precision engineering with accuracy ranging
from 0.05 mm/m to 0.1 mm/m at 27°C.
Taking into consideration the views of producers, consumers and testing authorities, the
Sectional Committee responsible for the preparation of this standard felt that it should be
related to the manufacturing and trade practices followed in the country in this field. Further-
more, due weightage had been given to the need for international co-ordination among standards
prevailing in different countries of the world in this field.
Metric system has been adopted in India and all dimensions in this standard have been given
in this system.
For the purpose ~of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with,
the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be
rounded off in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised j’.
The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of
the specified value in this standard.
This standard is intended chiefly to cover the technical provisions relating to bubbles, and it
does not include all the necessary provisions of a contract.
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IS 5706 : 1993

Indian Standard
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS - SPIRIT LEVELS
FOR USE IN PRECISION ENGINEERING -
SPECIFICATION
( First Revision )
1 SCOPE 3.6 Parallelism Tolerance
This standard specifies the features and require- The maximum permissible variation in distance
ments of spirit levels used in precision between the surfaces under consideration.
engineering. 3.7 Sensitivity
2 REFERENCE That angle of tilt which causes the bubble in
the vial to move through one scale division.
2.1 IS 1632 : 1992 COptical instruments -
Bubbles - Specification (first revision )’ is a 4 TYPES, SIZES AND ACCURACIES
necessary adjunct to this standard.
4.1 The levels shall be of the following types.
3 TERMINOLOGY 4.1.1 Type 1
3.0 For the purpose of this standard, the A block level with an unrelieved flat base of
following definitions in addition to those given cast iron ( see Fig. 1 ). This type of level shall
in IS 1632 shall apply. usually be made with base lengths from about
3.1Roll Error 100 mm to 200 mm.
The longitudinal movement of the bubble ( due 4.1.2 Type 2
to imperfections in the ground surface of the A block level, usually of cast iron or steel,
vial ) when rolled through a specified angle having a base formed with flat bearing surfaces
about its axis. at the two ends, that is, the middle portion is
3.2 Repeatability relieved ( see Fig. 2 ). The bearing surfaces may
either be plain or contain a longitudinal 120”
The measure of the ability of the level to repeat V-groov~e for use on cylindrical surfaces. In
its readings under all ordinary methods of the latter case a short cross bubble with sensi-
operation. tivity of IO minutes or small circular level is
provided.
3.3 Settling Time
4.1.2.1 This type of level shall usually be made
The time taken for a bubble to return to its with base lengths from about 250 mm to 500
steady position when the vial has been tilted mm. The length of the bearing surfaces shall
through a specified angle. be at least 2/9 of the length of the spirit level.
3.4 Flatness Tolerance 4.1.3 Type 3
The maximum permissible distance between A square block level usually of cast iron and of
two imaginary parallel planes within which the 200 mm square ( see Fig. 3 ). The four bearing
surface under consideration can just be surfaces shall be flat and may have the middle
enclosed. portions relieved; alternatively the base and one
adjacent surface may each contain a longitu-
3.5 Squareness Tolerance dinal 120” V-groove for use on cylindrical
surfaces. In the latter case a short cross bubble
The maximum permissible distance separating with sensitivity of IO minutes shall be provided.
two imaginary parallel planes which just en-
close one of the surfaces under consideration 4.2 Accuracy
and which are perpendicular to the other sur- 4.2.1 The recommended accuracies of all types
face. Squareness tolerance is expressed over of levels for precision engineering shall be from
the total length of one of the surfaces. 0.05 mmjmetre to 0.1 mm/metre at 27°C.

1
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IS 5706 : 1993

JUSTMENT
.-

BASE
H
FIG. 1 TYPE 1 LEVEL
CROSS LEVEL PROVIDED
WHEN VEE GROOVE
ADJUSTMENT
INCORPORATED

BASE
I

FIG. 2 TYPE 2 LEVEL

--

USTMENT

S LEVEL PROVIDED
WHEN VEE GROOVES [ 1 20°VEE GROOVE
INCORPORATED (OPTIONAL IN BASE
AND ONE ADJACENT SIDE:
PUG. 3 TYPE 3 LEVEL
5 DESIGNATION 6 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
5.1 The designation Of Spirit level shall include 6.1 The spirit levels shall conform to the
the following: requirements given in 6.1.1 to 6.1.7.
a) Type of level,
b) Type of bearing surface ( P - plain 6.1.1 The cylindrical glass vials and circular
bearing surface, and I/ _ longitudinal glass vials when used shall conform to all the
V-groove ), requirements given in IS 1632 : 1992.
c) Base length,
d) Accuracy, and 6.1.2 To minimize the differences in thermal
expansion between the glass vial and its mount,
e) Number of this standard. the glass should have a co-efficient of thermal
Example : expansion approximating to that of the material
A spirit level of type 2 having a plain bear- of the mount. To allow for any residual
ing surface and base length of 250 mm shall difference in expansion, the glass vial should
be designated as: preferably be mounted so as to permit slight
Level 2 P 250 - 0.05 mm/m IS 5706 : 1993 relative longitudinal movement.

2
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6.1.3 It is recommended that the dimensions
of the glass vial should be such that both ends
of the bubble can always be read against the
scale over a temperature range of 10°C to
40°C. To achieve this, it is recommended that
the alteration in the length ofthe bubble for a
temperature change of 1°C betneeen 10°C and
40°C should not exceed I percent of its length
at 27°C.
.6.1.4 Glass vials of levels may preferably
protected by a permanent transparent cover.
6.1.5 All unmachined surfaces on the level
shall be painted with a high-grade enamel paint
_or should have an equivalent protective finish.
6.1.6 The weight of the levels shall be kept to
the minimum; consistent with stability to avoid
undue deflection of the surfaces on which the
level is supported when in use.
6.1.7 Each level shall be supplied in a suitable
protective case. The case shall be suitabiy
padded from inside and shall be provided with
securing arrangements.
6.2 Type 1 Levels
The hardened base shall be lapped to provide a
wringing surface and shall be flat overall to
within 0,001 mm. Any departure from flatness
shall be in the nature of a concavity and not a
convexity. In order to maintain this degree of
flatness, the body af this type of level shall be
stabilized.
NOTE - The following stabilizing process
recommended:
The hardened body of the level, before final
grinding, shall be heated and maintained
temperature of 150~2 for a period of 5 to 10
hours and allowed to cool slowly in the furnace.
6.3 Type 2 Levels
The base, including the 120” V-groove where
provided, shall be finished by scraping, grinding
or lapping. The bearing surfaces of the base
and the sides of the V-groove shal.1 be flat and follows:
co-planar to within 0.003 mm for levels up to
300 mm long and 0*004 mm for larger levels.
The V-grove when provided shall be parallel to
the base to within the equivalent of half of a
scale division. ( 0.001 2 mm per 100 mm for 5
second levels, 0,002 5 mm per 100 mm for 10
second levels and 0.005 mm per 100 mm for 20
second levels ).
6.4 Type 3 Levels
The four surfaces of the square of Type 3 levels,
including the V-groove where provided, shall
IS 5706 : 1993
be finished by scraping, grinding or lapping,
and each surface and each side of the V-groove
shall be flat and co-planar to within 0.003 mm.
Adjacent working surfaces of the square shall
be square to each other and opposite working
faces shall be parallel to each other to within
the equivalent of half of a scale division. Each
V-groove shall be parallel to its own flat
( upper ) surface to within the same amount.
be 7 FUNCTIONAL REQUlREMENTS
7.1 Each level shall incorporate a means of
adjusting the level to zero. This adjustment
shall be such that when the level is placed on
a horizontal surface, it shall be possible to
adjust the level so that the two ends of the
bubble give equal readings on the scale to
within one-tenth of a division.
7.1.1 The adjustment shall be provided with an
efficient locking device and as far as possible,
shall be proofed against tampering.
7.1.2 At the standard reference temperature of
27°C the length of the bubble should be equal
to the distance between the centre lines of the
scales to within one-half of a division.
7.2 Sensitivity consistency and roll of the
bubble shall conform to Table 2 of IS 1632 :
1992.
8 TESTS
8.1 Zero Setting
The level shall be tested for its zero setting in
is accordance with 7.1.
8.2 Sensitivity, Consistency of the Bubble
at a The bubble shall be tested for its sensitivity,
consistency, roll, sluggishness, total error and
heat in accordance with 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,
7.6 and 7.7 respectively of IS 1632 : 1992.
8.3 Flatness of the base shall be tested with the
help of optical Rats.
8.3.1 The V-grooved surfaces shall be tested as
The level shall be placed over a movable
stage which has been properly levelled
earlier. Then with the help of a dial gauge,
the vertical face of the level shall be made
parallel to the axis off horizontal movement
of the stage. Now the point of another dial
gauge with accuracy 0.001 mm shall be
brought in fine contact with one of the
surfaces of the V-groove and the movable
stage shal! then be moved slowly along the
horizontal axis. The variation on the dial
gauge shall not be more than f 0.003 mm
3
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IS 5706 : 1993

at any point. In this way the entire surface 9.2.1 Standard Mark
of the V-groove shall be tested. Datails available with the Bureau of Indian
Standards.
8.4 Squareness 10 PACKING AND PACKAGING
Squareness shall be tested either by an auto- 10.1During storage and transit all working
collimator or with the help of a precision surfaces of the level shall be protected against
square tester. climatic conditions by being covered with a
suitable corrosion preventive compound. The
level shall then be placed in its protective
9 MARKING case. The case shall be wrapped with brown
paper and required number of cases shall be
9.1The glass vial used in the level shall be suitably packed in a wooden box lined with
suitably and legibly marked preferably near the brown paper using any suitable material for
centre with their measured values of sensitivity. cushioning.
9.2 The name of the manufacturer or his trade- 10.2 An instructional booklet shall be provided
mark and the year of manufacture shall be by the manufacturer giving specially the pre-
suitably marked on the level. cautions to be taken during use.

4
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Standard Mark I
The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the provisions of the Bureau of Indian
Standards Act, 1986 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The Standard Mark
on products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance that they have been
produced to comply with the requirements of that standard under a well defined system
of inspection, testing and quality control which is devised and supervised by BIS and
operated by the producer. Standard marked products are also continuously cheked by
BIS for conformity to that standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditions under
which a licence for the use of the Standard Mark may -be granted to manufacturers or
producers may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Standards.
_~-- --___-___- I
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Bureau of Indian Standards

BIS~is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Zndian Standards Act, I986 to
promote harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality
certification of goods and attenting to connected matters in the country.

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in the course of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type
or grade designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director
( Publications ), BIS.

Revision of Indian Standards

Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments, Standards
are also reviewed periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review
indicates that no changes are needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken
up for revision. Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the
latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue of ‘BIS Handbook’ and ‘Standards
Monthly Additions’. Comments on this Indian Standard may be sent BIS giving the following
reference:

Dot : No. LM 20 ( 0010 )

Aendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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