What aspect does a peg test assure in surveying?

A peg test is a method used in surveying primarily to check the horizontal alignment of levels, ensuring that the instrument is correctly set up to maintain a level line of sight across a distance. This test involves placing two pegs at a measured distance apart and utilizing the leveling instrument to assess whether it can maintain a consistent height between the two points.

By confirming the instrument's ability to achieve proper horizontal sighting alignment, the peg test minimizes errors that could arise from misalignments, ensuring that the readings obtained during the survey will be reliable and precise. Accurate horizontal alignment is essential in various surveying tasks, ranging from creating accurate topographical maps to setting out construction projects.

While elevation adjustments, weight measurements, and angle measurements are important aspects of surveying, they are not the focus of a peg test. The purpose of this test specifically targets horizontal sighting, making it a critical step in assuring the integrity of horizontal measurements in any surveying operation.