Skip to main content

Also known as a multitester, or a VOM (Volt-Ohm meter), a multimeter is an electronic measuring instrument used to measure voltage, current, and resistance. Includes handheld and tabletop testing devices.

37 Questions View all

Meter displays OL in voltage continuity mode with or without probes?

Quite an expensive Voltmeter device , did this from day one

OL means ‘over load’ but it isn’t even connected to anything

i suspect it is faulty but wanted to find out if anyone else has experienced this and maybe it’s simple

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score 2
9 Comments

It seems to say OL and need power cycle even with no probes attached or both probes attached - even when connected to each other or the same wire.

is there anything I can try ?

by

Hi @cristianan ,

What is the make and model number of the meter?

by

Hi @jayeff

It’s a Voltcraft R-200 I purchased from Conrad Electronic

I have written them a bunch of times and to voltcraft but to no avail...

by

OL does not mean "Over Load", it means "Open Loop". The meter is fine, it is an open circuit, meaning it has no voltage to measure.l

by

when I make lighting cable megger test display show OL, what does mean OL?

by

Show 4 more comments

Add a comment

6 Answers

Chosen Solution

This is a common misunderstanding but OL means open line. It means that what is being measured is not making it’s way from black probe to red probe.

You will always see this in diode mode, ohm mode and continuity mode when the probes are not touching each other / not connected.

For example when measuring a circuit you may get OL when a resistor is completely blown or when you measure two pads of where a resistor should have been present.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 4

4 Comments:

Might have bad probes too, it can happen

by

Hi,

Showing my age and age of my DMM.

Was wondering what new mode "continuity" was in a DMM then realized that it is mho mode.

Cheers.

by

0L shows in one position of the plasterboard which feels damp but move it across to a part which is drier it reads 16%. The non continuity theory does not make sense.

by

According to Fluke DMM training OL means overload, which means at the current range setting, the meter is incapable of reading the signal . There is more voltage than the range can measure.

OL confusion is when you measure an open line is will also read OL, such as when checking continuity.

by

Add a comment

Hi @cristianan

If it only displays OL when in the Volts or Continuity measuring ranges and not when selecting other functions such as capacitance or current then as you say the meter has a fault with these two functions.

You say that “I have written them a bunch of times and to voltcraft but to no avail... “.

I’m not sure if you mean that you just wanted to get technical advice from them or not but as there is a 3 year Voltcraft manufacturer’s warranty on the meter and if the warranty period is still valid I suggest that you contact Conrad about claiming a manufacturer’s warranty repair or replacement.

If I am reading it correctly there is also a 2 year guarantee by Conrad on their “electronic items” so you should be covered either way if the meter is less than 2 years old.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1
Add a comment

If you’re ohming something and it reads “OL” then your loop is open, in other words the path is not continuous (broken/separated)

If you’re in the voltage setting and it reads “OL” then the voltage you’re measuring is too high for your meter to read.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1
Add a comment

That is a safety feature to protect the multimeter from being damaged.

You should look at the instructions on how to use the multimeter properly when the OL appears.

https://electrouniversity.com/what-does-...

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1

1 Comment:

oops! that page can’t be found.

try again

by

Add a comment

OL is open line. No resistance to measure because the circuit is not complete. If you test across a blown fuse for example in ohms setting. You will get OL is the fuse is blown. And, you would get a resistance reading if it is not. Nothing wrong with the meter. And, definitely not overloaded. You want OL as a reading in many circumstances when testing electrical circuits and components.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1
Add a comment

"OL" generally means "open loop," but can also mean "overloaded," or "over-limit" for voltage & current measurements. If the multimeter is not connected to anything, then OL is indicating an open circuit, which means the probes need to be connected to something. If your multimeter is set to voltage, connected to a device or component, and the screen displays the message "OL," then the multimeter is "overloaded" and needs to be set to a higher limit or range for a better reading. You can read more info in more detail here.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0
Add a comment

Add your answer

Cristian will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 49

Past 7 Days: 303

Past 30 Days: 1,256

All Time: 77,467