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IS 13620 : 1992General requirements for surveying instruments

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ISO 17123-1 · ISO 17123-3 · ISO 17123-5
CurrentFrequently UsedSpecificationBIMGeotechnical · Surveying and Geotechnical Investigation
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 13620:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for general requirements for surveying instruments. This standard specifies the general and performance requirements for surveying instruments like theodolites, levels, and tacheometers. It covers materials, workmanship, optical characteristics, accuracy standards, and testing procedures to ensure the quality and reliability of the equipment for survey work.

Lays down general requirements applicable to all types of surveying instruments regarding their design, construction, and performance.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Geotechnical — Surveying and Geotechnical Investigation
Type
Specification
Earlier editions
IS 13620:1993
International equivalents
ISO 17123-1:2014 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)ISO 17123-3:2001 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)ISO 17123-5:2018 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Typically used with
IS 210IS 1500
Also on InfraLens for IS 13620
5Key values2Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! This code serves as a crucial reference for procurement, helping engineers specify the required quality and accuracy of surveying instruments.
! While drafted for optical instruments, its fundamental principles of accuracy, stability, and environmental resistance are still highly relevant for evaluating modern electronic instruments like Total Stations and GNSS receivers.
! Always verify that an instrument's calibration certificate meets the permissible error limits defined in this standard for its specific class.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4General RequirementsCl. 5Performance RequirementsCl. 6Marking and PackingCl. 7TestsAppendix A - Information to be Supplied by the Purchaser
Pulled from IS 13620:1992. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
metal alloysglass opticsplastics

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ISO 17123-1:2014ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Optics and optical instruments — Field procedures for testing geodetic and surveying instruments — Part 1: Theory
Provides the theoretical basis and framework for testing instrument accuracy, which is the objective of the requirements in IS 13620.
ISO 17123-3:2001ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Optics and optical instruments — Field procedures for testing geodetic and surveying instruments — Part 3: Theodolites
Specifies field methods to determine the precision of theodolites, a key instrument class covered by the general requirements of IS 13620.
ISO 17123-5:2018ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Optics and optical instruments — Field procedures for testing geodetic and surveying instruments — Part 5: Total stations
Covers testing of total stations, which are an evolution of the electronic theodolites mentioned in the older IS 13620.
DIN 18723 Series (Withdrawn)DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung), Germany
HighWithdrawn
Field procedure for testing of surveying instruments (various parts)
This German national standard was a direct precursor to the ISO 17123 series and shared the same goal of standardizing instrument testing.
Key Differences
≠IS 13620 is a prescriptive standard that sets maximum permissible error limits, whereas the ISO 17123 series is performance-based, providing procedures to determine an instrument's actual precision (e.g., standard deviation) without setting universal limits.
≠IS 13620 is a single, monolithic document from 1992. The modern international approach (ISO) is a modular series of standards, with separate parts for theory, levels, theodolites, total stations, GNSS, etc., allowing for easier updates.
≠The Indian standard is outdated regarding modern technology, with only general references to electronic instruments. The ISO series is current and includes specific, detailed procedures for total stations (Part 5), rotating lasers (Part 6), scanners (Part 8), and GNSS (Part 9).
≠Environmental and durability requirements in IS 13620 are descriptive (e.g., 'dust-protected', 'drip-proof'). International practice relies on the specific and quantitative IEC 60529 standard, using IP ratings (e.g., IP54, IP67) for ingress protection.
Key Similarities
≈Both the IS code and international standards share the fundamental objective of ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and fitness-for-purpose of surveying instruments.
≈Both frameworks address the same core instrumental errors, such as collimation error (line of sight), horizontal axis error (trunnion axis), and vertical circle index error, as critical parameters for instrument quality.
≈Both standards recognize the need for instrument stability under varying environmental conditions, particularly temperature, to ensure consistent and repeatable measurements.
≈Both IS 13620 and the ISO standards (via manufacturer requirements) mandate that instruments be clearly marked with essential information and be supplied with user manuals and necessary accessories for proper operation.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Approach to Instrument AccuracyPrescribes maximum permissible errors for different classes of instruments (e.g., max 20" collimation error for a Normal Precision Theodolite).Provides a statistical field procedure to determine the 'standard deviation of a direction' as a measure of precision. No limit is set by the standard.ISO 17123-3:2001
Operating Temperature RangeSpecifies a mandatory range, typically -20°C to +50°C.Not specified in the testing standard. It is a manufacturer-declared parameter, tested under ambient field conditions.ISO 17123-1:2014
Ingress Protection (Water/Dust)Uses descriptive terms like 'drip-proof' and 'dust-protected'.Uses the specific, test-based Ingress Protection (IP) Code system, e.g., 'IP55' or 'IP67'.IEC 60529 (Referenced by Manufacturers)
Compensator Accuracy (Automatic Levels)Specifies a maximum setting error, for example, ±0.5 arc-seconds.Provides a procedure to determine the standard deviation of compensation; acceptance criteria are left to the user or project.ISO 17123-2:2001
Vertical Axis StabilitySpecifies a maximum permissible deviation (e.g., max 1" per 3 minutes of time) after clamping.Focuses on determining the standard deviation of zenith angles in the test procedure, which implicitly tests overall stability.ISO 17123-3:2001
Test DocumentationRequires the manufacturer to provide a test certificate confirming compliance with the standard.The standard itself is the procedure; it provides a format for recording and reporting test results to prove the instrument's performance at a specific time.ISO 17123-1:2014
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Least count of vernier for precision theodolite1 second
Magnification for precision theodolite (typical)28X
Sensitivity of plate level bubble for theodolite60 to 90 seconds per 2 mm
Permissible error in horizontal collimation for theodolite20 seconds
Permissible closing error for precise levelling (per km)5 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Permissible Errors for Theodolites
Table 2 - Permissible Errors for Levels
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - General Requirements
Clause 5 - Performance Requirements
Clause 6 - Marking and Packing
Clause 7 - Tests
Appendix A - Information to be Supplied by the Purchaser

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 210:2009Grey Iron Castings
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IS 1500:2019Method for Brinell Hardness Test for Metallic...
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Frequently Asked Questions4

What main instrument types are covered by this standard?+
The code primarily covers optical instruments like Theodolites (Clause 4.3), Levels (Clause 4.4), and Tacheometers.
How does the code define instrument accuracy?+
It specifies permissible errors and least counts for different classes of instruments in tables, such as Table 1 for Theodolites and Table 2 for Levels.
What information should be specified when purchasing an instrument?+
Appendix A lists the essential information to be supplied by the purchaser, including the type of instrument, required accuracy, and any special environmental conditions.
What are the requirements for the instrument's bubble tube?+
The code specifies requirements for sensitivity, which should be permanently marked on the bubble tube, ensuring consistent levelling accuracy.

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