A voltage reading across a set of contacts indicates that the contacts are which?

A voltage reading across a set of contacts indicates that the contacts are which?

• A. Closed.
• B. Shorted.
• C. Grounded.
• D. Open.

Answer: (D)

The ability to read voltage across the contact points shows there’s no conductive path between them. When the contacts are open, there’s a break in the circuit, so the two sides can sit at different potentials and your meter will display a voltage across the gap. If the contacts were closed, the path would be complete and the potential difference across the contacts would be essentially zero. So a voltage reading across the contacts indicates they’re open.

The ability to read voltage across the contact points shows there’s no conductive path between them. When the contacts are open, there’s a break in the circuit, so the two sides can sit at different potentials and your meter will display a voltage across the gap. If the contacts were closed, the path would be complete and the potential difference across the contacts would be essentially zero. So a voltage reading across the contacts indicates they’re open.