Rotary Laser Levels

Rotary Laser Level shooting line for shelving around a room Rotary laser levels are used for construction projects indoors to shoot a 360-degree horizontal or vertical beam around a room, or outdoors to be used with a laser detector and grade rod for excavation for both digging down or building up. There are a variety of rotary laser levels to choose from. A rotary laser level can be manual leveling using a mounted bubble level, electronic self-leveling which users a pendulum leveling system, or automatic self-leveling which uses electronics and gears to find level. This article focuses on rotary laser level technical specifications such as Laser Level Rotation, Laser Leveling Method, Color (Laser Level Wavelength), Intensity (Laser Level Classification), Laser Level Accuracy and Laser Level Working Range.

Rotary Laser Level Rotation

Rotary Laser Levels project a beam of light 360-degrees, allowing the user to establish a horizontal or vertical plane. In fact, this beam of light is really a single dot of light that can rotate between 100 and 1,100 RPM, giving the appearance of a 360-degree chalk line. When working indoors, the Rotary Laser Level is useful for anything needing a horizontal leveling around a room - with the Rotary Laser Level upright - or a vertical leveling from floor to ceiling - with the Rotary Laser Level turned on its side.

The beam of light is created by what is called a diode, which in this case is simply a semiconductor which produces light when current passes through it. We see diodes everyday on our CD players, computers and television remote controls.

Rotary Laser Leveling Method

Rotary laser levels are leveled one of three ways.

The first is Manual Leveling, which means you the operator make the laser level by adjusting the laser to bubble vials built into the laser. Accuracy is going to depend on the quality of the level vial and the operator’s eye. Although accuracy can be 1/8th inch per 30 feet and setup is longer due to the manual leveling, it is the least expensive laser level available.
The second method to level a rotary laser is Self-Leveling, which means the laser levels itself through a pendulum and magnets. Accuracy is typically 1/8th inch per 100 feet, better than manual.
The third leveling method is Electronic Self-Leveling also called Automatic Self-Leveling, which uses a series of small servo-motors to level itself to the highest accuracy of 1/16th inch per 100 feet.

Color (Laser Level Wavelength) - Red or Green?

Visible Light Spectrum chart where laser levels are Color is technically determined by the wavelength of the laser, the laser diode actually, which is measured in nanometers (nm), one billionth of a meter, because of its very small length. The spectrum of color visible to the human eye is between 380 nm (purple) and 750 nm (red). Typically, the color of the laser is red (635 nm) or green (532 nm) which is near the center of the visible spectrum, making it the most visible to the human eye. Johnson Level’s green-beam laser system called GreenBrite Technology is at least 400% brighter and more visible than a red laser. Regardless of the color, you will not be able to see the light from the Rotary Laser Level outside. Outdoor work in daylight always requires a Laser Detector.

Intensity (Laser Level Classification)

The intensity of the laser is determined by the level of laser light power which is measured in milliwatts (mw), 0.001 or one-thousandth of a watt. Class I and II lasers are low power from below 0.4 mw to 1 mw. Typically, laser levels are Class IIIA, which is between 1 mw and 5 mw. At these levels, the laser is safe if it catches your eye, although you should not stare at it. The nearer your laser is to 5 mw, the brighter it is, and also the more expensive. Since Class IIIB lasers which range from 5 mw to 500 mw and require controls, and Class IV lasers are high power lasers above 500 mw, which are hazardous to view under any condition, they are typically not used for leveling tools.

Rotary Laser Level Accuracy

Accuracy of a rotary laser level ranges from +/- 1/16th to +/- 1/8th of an inch per 100 to 50 feet. Although this accuracy is greater than a spirit level (or a bubble level), a spirit level cannot give you the distance a laser level can.

Rotary Laser Level Working Range

Rotary laser level can help with grading How far the rotary laser goes is typically specified in terms of feet in diameter, which means your 360-degree range. Since the Rotary Laser Level is the center of the range, the distance in any one direction is the radius, or one-half the diameter specified. The range can be up to 2,000 feet in diameter with a laser detector most likely used outside due to the distance and inability to see the laser outside. If you're inside and can see the laser, the range can be greater.

Now that you are familiar with the technical specifications of a rotary laser level, you are now ready to understand How Rotary Laser Levels Are Used by Contractors on the Job Site. As you continue your learning, there are a variety of other laser levels to investigate, which may be better for your specific project, including line laser levels, dot laser levels and torpedo laser levels.