Total Station Basics

Video Tutorial: Total Station Setup

Basic Components

Physical Components

  • Telescope:

    Used for sighting and measuring angles to targets

  • Tribrach:

    Base plate that attaches to tripod and allows for leveling

  • Display Screen:

    Shows measurements and allows for data input

Electronic Components

  • EDM:

    Electronic Distance Measurement system

  • Angle Encoders:

    Measure horizontal and vertical angles

  • Compensators:

    Electronic tilt sensors for automatic leveling

Setup Procedure

1

Tripod Setup

Ensure tripod is stable and roughly level. Position legs firmly in ground and adjust height for comfortable operation.

2

Instrument Mounting

Attach tribrach to tripod head. Mount total station securely to tribrach.

3

Leveling

Use circular bubble to rough level, then fine-tune with plate bubble or electronic level display.

4

Centering

Use optical or laser plummet to center instrument over survey point.

Common Issues & Solutions

Common Problems

  • Instrument won't level properly
  • Error messages during measurement
  • Battery dies quickly

Quick Solutions

  • Check tripod stability and bubble calibration
  • Clean prism and check settings
  • Carry spare batteries and check power settings