OL is the standard display on a digital multimeter indicating an open loop, open line, or overload condition. When measuring resistance or continuity, it means the probes are not connected to a complete circuit, resulting in infinite resistance. When measuring voltage or current, it warns that the value exceeds the meter's current range setting, requiring the user to select a higher range to get an accurate reading.
Heard on the job
I'm just getting an OL on the meter, so that trace is definitely broken somewhere between the connector and the IC.
Insider tip
Rookies sometimes confuse an OL reading with zero ohms; OL means infinite resistance (a broken path), while zero means a perfect short circuit.
Also heard as
- open loop
- overload
- open line