Poll

What's the meaning of "OL"?

Over Limit
29 (21.3%)
Open Line
2 (1.5%)
Over Load (Overload)
92 (67.6%)
Open Loop
4 (2.9%)
Depends on the measuring mode
9 (6.6%)

Total Members Voted: 136

Author Topic: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?  (Read 27441 times)

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Offline steve30

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #25 on: April 26, 2021, 09:41:23 am »
I've used meters that have said OFL which I always jokingly said could stand for 'Over F****ing Limit'  as if the meter is annoyed at getting overloaded. Of course in reality it probably means Overflow.
 
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Offline themadhippy

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #26 on: April 26, 2021, 11:06:36 am »
Its actually an abbreviation for an ancient scottish  phrase, "oot the lum" ,and relates to the fact if you continue smoke will flow.
 
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Offline SeanB

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #27 on: April 26, 2021, 11:12:43 am »
OL to say Over Range, because a 7 segment display historically is poor at showing alpha characters, so L is used instead of R, as L is unambiguous on the display, while the R can be confused with 8, A, B and cause confusion if a segment has failed.
 

Online vk6zgo

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #28 on: April 26, 2021, 11:55:20 am »
The very first digital meters were voltmeters.

The only time they are likely to say "Overload" is if they are reading a voltage higher than the limit of the maximum range & hence, the max display reading they can produce.
 
An analog meter will let you know in no uncertain manner, if you do this, as you will "twang" the meter pointer against the RH stop.
A digital meter may "try" to display the over range voltage, & omit the leading figure, so OL gives you the equivalent of "twanging" the needle.

When proper DMMs appeared, "OL" was pretty well unassailable.
 

Offline ajb

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #29 on: April 26, 2021, 10:29:48 pm »
Keithley DMM6500 says "Overflow" when the leads are open in either resistance mode. 
 

Offline SofiaJoy

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #30 on: October 11, 2023, 05:38:58 am »
"OL" is often used as an abbreviation in various contexts to represent different meanings, as you mentioned. Here are a few common interpretations:

Open Loop (OL): In control systems, an open loop refers to a system where the output is not influenced or corrected based on the system's performance. It means there is no feedback mechanism to adjust the system's behavior. This is commonly used in the context of control theory and automation.

Overloaded (OL): In the context of electrical or electronic measurements, "OL" on a multimeter typically indicates that the measured quantity (such as voltage or current) is beyond the range or capacity of the multimeter. It suggests that the value being measured is too high for the instrument to handle.

Over-Limit (OL): Similar to "overloaded," in the context of voltage and current measurements, "OL" can also stand for "over-limit," indicating that the measured value exceeds the limit of the measuring range of the instrument.

Open Circuit (OL): In the context of electrical circuits, "OL" can indicate an open circuit. This means there is a discontinuity in the circuit, and it is not closed or completed, preventing the flow of electric current.

The meaning of "OL" depends on the specific context in which it is used, so it's essential to consider the context to interpret it correctly.
 

Online Halcyon

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #31 on: October 11, 2023, 05:43:29 am »
ChatGPT much?
 
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Offline magic

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #32 on: October 11, 2023, 07:31:59 am »
Obvious spam is obvious. Look at the "personal link" in the profile ;D
 

Offline MarkS

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #33 on: October 11, 2023, 05:26:46 pm »
I come from a programming background. In C/C++, "0L" means 0 long words (4 bytes, 32 bits). It's primarily used in memory addressing to signify a NULL value to a pointer. As such, I have always read the OL as 'No Reading".
 
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Offline artag

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #34 on: October 11, 2023, 09:47:17 pm »
The answer is "because ICL7106" ;)
Now, what Intersil was smoking, ask them...

Good answer.
I suspect that the reason is that the logic in the meter ensured that above 1999, 1999 was still the result along with a status indication. Displaying something special like OL would require extra logic to provide that pattern on the display, and a separate LED would need both a pin and an LED to show it. Applying blanking to the lower digits probably needed very little logic and so was chosen.
 
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Offline EPAIII

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #35 on: October 12, 2023, 06:18:51 am »
I always thought of it that way. Perhaps I read an instruction manual or three.

And the seven segment display rational makes sense. But so does the idea of a Voltage being too large for the device to handle. That is the classic definition of an OverLoad: too much of a load for the device to handle.



macboy wrote: "I can't believe overload is leading the poll."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's probably the leader because that's what it means.  At least according to what the manufacturers say in their manuals.

Keysight: "OL - Overload (the reading exceeds the display range)"

Fluke: "If the input signal is greater than the selected range can measure,the Meter displays overload"
Paul A.  -   SE Texas
And if you look REAL close at an analog signal,
You will find that it has discrete steps.
 

Offline Psi

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #36 on: October 12, 2023, 07:03:55 am »
Outlandishly Large

Well.. it's either that or  "Overcooked Lasagna"
Greek letter 'Psi' (not Pounds per Square Inch)
 

Offline AndyBeez

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #37 on: October 12, 2023, 08:20:19 am »
"Oh Lordy" or error code 70 upside down?

My meter helpfully reads HI and L0

Maybe "b5" for Blue Smoke?
 

Offline pdenisowski

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Re: Seriously, anyone know the story and meaning of "OL" on multimeters?
« Reply #38 on: October 12, 2023, 10:05:10 am »

I wonder if Japanese multimeter manufacturers use "OL" (オーエル) on meters :)

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/japanese-english/ol


Test and Measurement Fundamentals video series on the Rohde & Schwarz YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKxVoO5jUTlvsVtDcqrVn0ybqBVlLj2z8
 


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