Meters and troubleshootingQuestion 303 of 1506

A load has an internal open circuit. What will a voltmeter read across the load terminals with the circuit energized?

  1. Source voltage
  2. Zero volts
  3. Half the source voltage
  4. A very small voltage
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Correct answer: Source voltage

With an open load, there is no current to cause a drop elsewhere, so all voltage appears across the open.

Source: Troubleshooting Motors and Controls (Dickson-Self), 1.2: Electrical Fundamentals

Practice meters and troubleshooting

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026