When checking voltage across a load, the voltmeter will show 0 volts with power applied to the load.

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Multiple Choice

When checking voltage across a load, the voltmeter will show 0 volts with power applied to the load.

The main idea is that a voltmeter measures the potential difference between two points. Across a load that’s powered, there is a voltage drop across the load itself, not zero. In a simple source-with-load circuit, the voltage across the load is V_load = V_source × (R_load / (R_source + R_load)). With finite, real resistances this value is greater than zero (and often close to V_source if the load dominates the circuit). A zero reading would only happen in an extreme short where the load’s resistance is effectively zero or if something is wired incorrectly, which isn’t normal operation. So, you won’t generally see 0 volts across a powered load—the reading should be nonzero.

The main idea is that a voltmeter measures the potential difference between two points. Across a load that’s powered, there is a voltage drop across the load itself, not zero. In a simple source-with-load circuit, the voltage across the load is V_load = V_source × (R_load / (R_source + R_load)). With finite, real resistances this value is greater than zero (and often close to V_source if the load dominates the circuit). A zero reading would only happen in an extreme short where the load’s resistance is effectively zero or if something is wired incorrectly, which isn’t normal operation. So, you won’t generally see 0 volts across a powered load—the reading should be nonzero.

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