Are you confused? What does OL on a multimeter stand for? Not only you; many people are unaware of the OL on the multimeter. If you’re a student or a beginner, use a multimeter to verify continuity, measure resistance, or use the min/max feature. You may have seen an unexpected reading on a multimeter that shows an OL symbol, and you are unsure of what it signifies.
“OL” on a multimeter typically means “overload” or “out of range”. It indicates that the measurement taken is either too high or too low to be measured by the multimeter’s current range setting.
We will clarify what the OL reading on a multimeter means. Let’s get started.
What Does OL Mean On A Multimeter
When performing a test or measurement, you come across a variety of readings. This might be quite difficult for beginners, especially if they have no one to guide and aid them.
On the multimeter screen, OL stands for “Open Loop” and denotes many things depending on the test and multimeter mode. It represents either a voltage in a circuit that is higher than the test limit or that there is no continuity between the positive and negative multimeter probes.
“OL” on a multimeter typically means “overload” or “out of range”. It indicates that the measurement taken is either too high or too low to be measured by the multimeter’s current range setting.
For example, if you are trying to measure the resistance of a component using a multimeter, and the resistance is higher than the maximum range of the multimeter, then the display will show “OL” instead of a numeric value. Similarly, if you are measuring the voltage of a battery that is too low, the display may also show “OL” as the voltage is outside the range of the multimeter.
To resolve this issue, you can try adjusting the range setting on the multimeter to a higher or lower value depending on the measurement you are trying to take. If the measurement is still out of range, you may need to use a different type of meter or equipment that is capable of measuring that particular parameter.
What OL Means When Testing Continuity
A continuity test is a test if electricity can flow continuously through a conductive route. There is no continuity in a circuit if there is a break between two locations.
Consider the fact that you’re performing a continuity test on a wire or other component. In that situation, reading OL on a multimeter indicates that the circuit is incomplete and that the wire under test cannot carry current. Due to an incomplete route, the circuit is broken, and the object fails the continuity test.
The thing you are testing may be defective or expired, the probes may be damaged, or the multimeter may not be operating properly, among other possibilities.
The circuit is complete and will display 0 or the resistance of the conductor you are testing, depending on the capabilities of your multimeter, if the current is flowing from one probe to the object and then to another probe.
Therefore, a reading of 0 during a continuity test indicates that the circuit is complete, the current is flowing continuously, and the object’s continuity has been established.
What OL Means When Testing Voltage
Voltage is the pressure of current between two points in a circuit or the potential electrical field.
If the multimeter’s range adjustment is too low, resistance measurements will fail. The resistor you are testing is beyond the multimeter’s limit, hence the multimeter will display an OL result.
Consider a situation where the resistor resistance is in the mega ohm range or above and the multimeter limit is set at kilo ohm or below. The multimeter will show the overload indication (OL) symbol. If the associated resistor is broken or old, this might also result in an OL value while measuring resistance.
On the other hand, if the resistance range of the multimeter is greater than that of the resistor, the outcome will be 0. It indicates that the measured resistance is close to zero in relation to the multimeter limit.
What is Infinite Resistance on a Multimeter?
This only indicates that no electric current is flowing through the circuit or component you are testing. Take the pipe, for instance.
The volume of water flowing through a pipe is determined by resistance. Because of the increased resistance created by a blocked pipe, less water flows through. A totally stopped pipe, on the other hand, that prevents water from passing through, has a high resistance. That is out of this world.
The same process also applies to electricity. If you are measuring resistance and there isn’t any flow emerging, your multimeter will assume that the flow has been stopped, causing the resistance to go off the charts.
However, sometimes an infinite resistance reading on your multimeter indicates a faulty connection or an open switch. It needs to be taken care of right away to prevent more problems.
Difference between “OL” and “0” in Measuring Resistance
An “open-loop” (abbreviated “OL”) indicates that the multimeter is unable to measure a resistance value that is lower than the one it currently has. Although the meter tries to show this measurement, it can only show “OL” since there is no method to show such an insanely high value. This can occur when testing a circuit with too little voltage or while measuring extremely tiny resistances.
When there is no connection between two locations or when nothing is connected to an analog input pin on a microcontroller, you might observe 0—the measurement of open circuits In certain meters, it appears as “L” as well.
For instance, the gadget will display “OL” if the positive lead from one side of the battery is connected straight to the ground without any further connections.
That identical circuit, however, may alter if you put it on a breadboard, depending on how many resistors you put in the alligator clips at each end. There would be no connection and your meter would display “0” if there were zero ohms present since they would function like wires and link those two pins together.
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CONCLUSION
Depending on what you are testing or the mode your multimeter is configured to, the OL reading on the multimeter might mean a variety of things.
It denotes an infinite resistance in the Ohms setting, no continuity in the continuity mode, and excess voltage or overload in the voltage measurement setting.
Find out more about the multimeter and the different diagnoses you may make with this practical device. For several of the tests, you will require it.
Read Also How To Test Low Voltage Transformer With Multimeter?
FAQs
What causes OL on a multimeter?
There is no continuity in a circuit if there is a break between two locations. The meter screen now displays OL, indicating that there is an opening within the loop when there is no continuity (hence, open loop).
Does Ol mean no resistance?
OL stands for an open line. As the circuit is incomplete, there is no resistance to measure. If you test in the ohms setting, for instance, across a blown fuse. If the fuse blows, you will receive an OL. And if it is not, you will receive a resistance reading.
What Does A Capacitor Reading OL Mean?
If an open loop (OL) signal appears while testing a capacitor, either there is no continuity in the circuit or the capacitance or voltage exceeds the range that the multimeter is set to.