Fluke 87V shows -OL when in ohms range - normal or not?

[evava]

I want to ask more experienced people:

Is it normal to see "-OL" (minus sign) on display F87V when in ohms range, or does it indicate issue with this meter?

I see that in advertisement picture, I have not the meter in my hand.

[MarkF]

Both of my Fluke meters show "0L" without leads connected.  Neither have the (-) minus sign.

I don't know if that indicates a problem.  It might just be a slight calibration offset.

[Brumby]

You can expect this sort of behaviour on every DMM when the resistance between the terminals is higher than can be measured on the range selected.  If in autoranging mode, the resistance is higher than the meter can measure.

You should always get this when there are no leads plugged in - which is the case in this photo (If it DIDN'T show -OL, then it will have a problem!) - or when the leads are plugged in but the probes are not connected to anything.

If you get this when a resistance being measured is within range, then you might need to check for an open circuit.  (Meter leads are not infallible.)

[exe]

Bramby, that was my initial answer too (I deleted it), until I re-read the topic. The question is not about OL indication, the question is why it is negative .

[evava]

Just that, it shows "-OL" (minus sign) when there are no leads plugged in (according to photo) , so you think this is not OK?
 
I think it is suspicious at least, that's why I ask.

[Brumby]

 

I'll just step back into the shadows and let someone with an 87V comment.

 

[HighVoltage]

My relatively new 87V does NOT show a minus sign!

[MarkF]

Both of my Fluke meters show "0L" without leads connected.  Neither have the (-) minus sign.

I don't know if that indicates a problem.  It might just be a slight calibration offset.

I forgot to mention-  I have a Fluke 117 and a Fluke 87V.

[Shock]

My meters don't show this but I have a feeling I've seen it somewhere before, I've worked on many.

Assuming it's not a stuck segment, I suspect that its either an input protection problem, calibration, or current leaking somewhere on the PCB. Might even be battery related, I would treat it as a potential problem and if buying ensure it zeros out on all measurement ranges with leads if possible.

[Dabbot]

My 87V does NOT show the minus sign on ohms range.
Firmware version: 3.03

[Wimberleytech]

My 87V does not show the minus sign either.

[alsetalokin4017]

87 III -> no.
83 -> no.

 I can't tell you how happy this makes me. I literally do not know what I would do if a minus sign showed up in this specific instance, without any other symptoms.

[evava]

Thank you.
I am sure now it is potential problem.

[Dabbot]

I wonder if joeqsmith has seen something like this throughout his DMM transient tests.

[Electro Detective]

I wonder if joeqsmith has seen something like this throughout his DMM transient tests.

It's a sure bet none of those meters were sporting a 'LOL' reading after getting transienated by Mr. Smith 


OP evava : I just had a go at both 87V and 28-11, with nothing plugged in,

and no  '-OL' on the display, and I tried hard to make it happen 

i.e. it's looking a bit suss, don't buy it 


Negative Parallel Universe Import? 

[exe]

i.e. it's looking a bit suss, don't buy it 

on the other hand, it's an opportunity to ask for a discount and have fun with repairing it

[Electro Detective]

i.e. it's looking a bit suss, don't buy it 

on the other hand, it's an opportunity to ask for a discount and have fun with repairing it

I'm with you there  but may be pushing the luck getting fixit docs from Fluke for an issue like this

Then again, a simple CAL might sort it out 

[vinyl]

My 28II show OL, but sometimes the minus sign appears and disappears immediately.

[Brumby]

i.e. it's looking a bit suss, don't buy it 

on the other hand, it's an opportunity to ask for a discount and have fun with repairing it

... If, in fact, it needs repair.

I keep wondering if it is just a slight bias that the ADC registers as negative.  With an input around zero, it would only take a poofteenth of nothing (in the wrong direction) to be classified as "negative".

This is just a thought - and I cannot discount the possibility that this is indicative of a real problem - but I'd be tempted to get my hands on it and do some side-by-side comparison measurements with a known good meter.  I suspect it could function within specification (assuming no other faults).

[vinyl]

My 28II ohm auto range (60 mega ohm) momentarily shows a minus sign and disappears soon. Manual range 60Mega is the same.

manual range (6 mega ohm --- 600 ohms), OL is always displayed.