What is the bubble in a spirit level made of?

The vial bodies of a spirit level, also referred to as a bubble level, can be shaped like a barrel, like a rectangular block or even curved, banana-shaped, to measure slope in fractions per foot of pitch; and are mostly made from acrylic today versus glass originally.

What type of liquid is filled in the glass tube of spirit level?

The spirit level has two or three slightly curved glass tubes or vials, almost filled with ethyl alcohol (used because of its low freezing point), which measure either plumb (vertical) or level (horizontal). The amount of liquid in each vial is not enough to fill it, so there is always a bubble in the vial.

Is the liquid in levels toxic?

Skin contact with liquid ethylene glycol or breathing low levels of vapors in the air is generally not harmful or causes only minor irritation. Very few individuals develop an allergic rash when the liquid is on their skin.

Do spirit levels lose accuracy?

A spirit level is a tool that helps you gauge whether an object is level. The glass tube in the level is comprised of a liquid or a spirit like ethanol, which in turn indicates the exact reading. If the spirit creates an imbalance, the level will give out an inaccurate reading.

Can I use my phone as a spirit level?

To access a bubble level—or spirit level—on Android, simply open the Google app on your phone and search for “bubble level”. Use this like you would an actual bubble level—align your phone against a surface vertically or horizontally to see how level it is.

Can a spirit level be wrong?

A spirit level is a tool that helps you gauge whether an object is level. If the spirit creates an imbalance, the level will give out an inaccurate reading. The process of rectifying this error is known as calibrating.

What is the most accurate spirit level?

What is the Best Spirit Level?

• The 1200mm 96-2, or any level from the 96-2 range for that matter, provides absolutely accurate measuring in all positions.
• The 96-2, alongside most other spirit levels at Toolstop, are available in a range of lengths to cater to the DIY hobbyist to professional tradesman.

What can I use instead of a spirit level?

Alternatives

• Reed level.
• Laser line level.
• Water level.

How do I test my spirit level?

Q: How do I check the accuracy of a spirit level?

1. Place the level on a flat surface.
2. Make two marks: One at an end of the level.
3. Look at the vial and take a reading of the bubble’s position.
4. Rotate the level 180° end-to-end and align the level with your marks.
5. Take a second reading.

Are phone spirit levels accurate?

According to the app’s official description, it uses “sophisticated processing and your built-in accellerometer to estimate distances ranging from a couple of inches to 15 feet or more. Measurement accuracy is up to 2 percent of the actual distance.”

How do I choose my spirit level?

To check a spirit level:

1. Simply set it on a flat surface and note where the bubble ends up.
2. Then, flip the level end over end. If the tool is accurate, the bubble should fall in exactly the same place.
3. Levels with replaceable vials can be adjusted.

What kind of liquid is in a tubular spirit level?

Early tubular spirit levels had very slightly curved glass vials with constant inner diameter at each viewing point. These vials are incompletely filled with a liquid, usually a mercury colored spirit or alcohol, leaving a bubble in the tube.

What happens when you fill a spirit level vial?

When made correctly, when the bubble is at “level”, the edges of the bubble should rest just on the inside of the lines painted on the vial body. Sealing the vial. If a tight seal is not made on the end of the vial after it’s been filled, the vial will leak.

What should the temperature of a spirit level vial be?

The maximum termperature a spirit level vial will work is about 130° F (or 54° C) Vials are read as “level”when the bubble is in the center however there are special types of barrel vials which are read differently: curved vials and pitch vials (or multi-pitch vials).

Where is the bubble on a spirit level?

Place your level on the surface, milled edge down, so that the vials are easily seen when you view the level straight on, then inspect the horizontal vial. The bubble in the center of every vial (if there is more than one) should be centered between the two level indication line marks.