ISO 17123-5-2018 PDF

Full title and description

Optics and optical instruments — Field procedures for testing geodetic and surveying instruments — Part 5: Total stations. This International Standard specifies simplified field procedures for determining and evaluating the precision (repeatability) of coordinate measurements made with total stations and their ancillary equipment for building and surveying tasks, intended as in‑situ verifications of suitability for immediate use rather than as comprehensive laboratory acceptance tests.

Abstract

ISO 17123-5:2018 defines field test procedures to assess the repeatability of coordinate measurements produced by total stations. The procedures are designed for in‑situ application with minimal ancillary equipment, to reduce atmospheric influence, and to satisfy requirements of related standards while remaining practical for field verifications.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in periodic review; current edition).
• Publication date: 7 February 2018 (Edition 3, 2018).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 17.180.30 — Optical measuring instruments / geodetic and surveying instruments.
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2018).
• Number of pages: 28 pages.

Scope

Specifies field procedures for determining and evaluating the precision (repeatability) of coordinate measurement by total stations and associated equipment when used for building and surveying measurements. The scope focuses on practical, in‑situ verification tests that require no special ancillary equipment and that are designed to minimise atmospheric and environmental influences; the procedures are intended to confirm suitability for a specific measurement task and to support requirements in other standards rather than to replace comprehensive laboratory acceptance testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Field test procedures for repeatability/precision of coordinate measurements with total stations.
• Practical in‑situ methods that avoid the need for specialised ancillary test equipment.
• Guidance on reducing atmospheric and environmental influences during tests.
• Procedures intended as verification of instrument suitability for immediate tasks rather than full acceptance/performance certification.
• Relation to uncertainty assessment principles set out in ISO 17123‑1 (theory) for expressing test results and uncertainties.

Typical use and users

Used by surveyors, geodetic engineers, instrument service/calibration technicians, quality managers in construction and surveying firms, and laboratories performing field verifications. The standard supports routine pre‑project checks, periodic on‑site verification of instrument performance, and conformity with contractual or project QA requirements.

Related standards

ISO 17123 is a multipart series; closely related parts include ISO 17123‑1 (Theory), ISO 17123‑2 (Levels), ISO 17123‑3 (Theodolites), ISO 17123‑4 (EDM to reflectors), ISO 17123‑6 (Rotating lasers) and ISO 17123‑9 (Terrestrial laser scanners). Other related standards cover laboratory procedures (ISO 16331 series) and vocabulary for geodetic instruments (ISO 9849).

Keywords

total station; field procedures; repeatability; precision; geodetic instruments; surveying; ISO 17123; in‑situ verification; measurement uncertainty.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17123-5:2018 is the part of the ISO 17123 series that specifies field test procedures for evaluating the repeatability (precision) of coordinate measurements made with total stations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers simplified, practical field procedures to verify a total station’s suitability for immediate surveying tasks, including methods designed to minimise atmospheric influence and to be carried out without special ancillary equipment; it is not a comprehensive laboratory acceptance test.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Surveyors, geodetic engineers, instrument calibration and service providers, construction QA/QC personnel, and anyone needing on‑site verification of total station measurement performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition (Edition 3) is the current published version and was reviewed/confirmed in subsequent ISO reviews (the ISO record indicates the publication remains current).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 17123 is a multipart series of field procedures for geodetic and surveying instruments; Part 1 provides theory and uncertainty guidance, and other parts cover levels, theodolites, EDMs, rotating lasers, GNSS RTK, and terrestrial laser scanners.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Total station, field test, repeatability, precision, measurement uncertainty, in‑situ verification, geodetic instruments, ISO 17123.