Digital Levels
Spirit Level with Digital Inclination Module
What are digital levels?
Digital levels are also known as electronic levels or digital inclinometers. The design of the digital level is essentially identical to that of an analogue spirit level. As well as the profile and shock-absorbing end caps, the digital level usually has two vials with horizontal and vertical alignment. If there is no vial integrated, they are called digital inclinometers. What makes the spirit level a digital level is the integrated electronics in the form of an electronic tilt module. The reading is shown on the module’s digital display.
How do they work?
As well as the built-in vial, the digital level has an integrated electronic tilt module with digital LCD display. Depending on the design, the module runs on a single-use or rechargeable battery. The measurement process essentially corresponds to that of an analogue spirit level. The measurement can either be read off from the built-in vial or via the digital display on the electronic module. If, for example, you are measuring inclinations and slopes, calculating angles or leveling objects, the reading is shown directly on the digital level’s display. They usually provide the option of displaying the reading in different units (e.g. in percent, degree, mm/m or in/ft). Just like analogue spirit levels, digital levels can either be used in a normal position or for inverted measurements overhead.
Where are those levels used?
Digital levels are used for a wide variety of applications in interior or external construction. They are used for standard and inverted measurements, to align or level objects horizontally or vertically, to measure inclines, slopes, gradients and descents, or to calculate angles. This means digital levels are used in a multitude of trades, in particular by joiners, carpenters and cabinetmakers, as well as in kitchen and staircase construction and civil engineering.
What are the advantages of digital measurement?
With the digital level, the reading can be accurately read off the display. This allows inclines, slopes, gradients, descents and angles to be calculated with precision. The elecronic spirit level display is usually illuminated and ensures the reading is easy to read in dark conditions. Some models have a display that automatically rotates for overhead measurements, known as inverted measurements. Digital levels also usually have a wide range of functions; for example, acoustic signal routing via beeps, switchable reading orientation, or a hold function for storing readings and for transferring angles. Elecrtronic spirit levels also ensure very high accuracy and measurement tolerance. If the digital level has IP protection, it can be protected against dust and moisture, and can withstand the toughest conditions on the construction site.
How accurate are digital levels?
Digital levels achieve a very high level of accuracy for measurements. This means objects can be precisely aligned in the horizontal and vertical, and any inclines, gradients, descents and angles can be precisely calculated. Good digital levels achieve accuracy with a deviation of less than 0.05° in the standard position (0° and 90°).
What are common lengths?
Digital/electronic spirit levels are available in various lengths from 10 inches to 72 inches (25 cm to 200 cm) depending on the manufacturer or retailer. Digital levels with a length of 24 inches (60 cm) are popular.
How to calibrate them?
For the most accurate measurement results, the tilt module of the electronic spirit level should be calibrated before each use. As a rule, digital levels are calibrated in a horizontal or vertical position and directly via the electronic module. Detailed instructions on how to calibrating your level can be found in the operating instructions from the relevant manufacturer. Inaccuracies caused by read errors during calibration via the vial of the level are thus ruled out.
What sets SOLA digital levels apart?
SOLA’s BIG RED DIGITAL and electronic spirit levels are precision spirit levels with integrated electronic tilt module and Bluetooth interface. They impress thanks to their ultra-accurate tilt module (0.05° at 0° and 90° and 0.1° between 1° and 89°) and the built-in, patented FOCUS vials with a measuring tolerance of ≤ 0.0003 in./in. (0.3 mm/m, 0.017°) in standard position and ≤ 0.0005 in./in. (0.5 mm/m, 0.029°) in inverted position. The readings can be displayed in degrees, percent, mm/m or in/ft. Using the HOLD function, readings can be “frozen” on the display and the ABS/INC function makes it possible to apply zero setting in any position. The display automatically rotates for inverted measurements and is permanently illuminated. Digital levels from SOLA have switchable acoustic signal routing and are both dust-tight and protected against spray water (protection class IP65). They are available in lengths 10, 24, 48 and 72 inches (25 cm, 60 cm, 120 cm and 180 cm) and in a magnetic version (BIG REDM DIGITAL). Thanks to the Bluetooth interface, all digital levels from SOLA can be used with the free SOLA Measures app. This brings a range of practical additional functions, such as remote readings, remote control of measurement functions and managing and documenting readings. Thanks to the user-friendly menu navigation, the SOLA Measures app is self-explanatory and couldn’t be easier to use. The app is free and compatible with devices with iOS or Android operating systems.