Gas Fitter Practice Test

A zero ohmmeter reading taken between a solenoid's casing and a disconnected wire suggests what?

1. The coil is good

2. The coil is shorted to the casing of the device

3. The coil wire is broken

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: The coil is shorted to the casing of the device

A zero ohmmeter reading between a solenoid's casing and a disconnected wire indicates that there is electrical continuity between the solenoid's coil and its casing. This suggests that the coil is likely shorted to the casing of the device. In a healthy solenoid, the casing should be isolated from the coil to prevent any unintended current paths. A zero reading typically means that there is a direct connection, which is indicative of a fault where the coil insulation has failed or the windings have made contact with the casing. This condition can lead to improper operation of the solenoid and could potentially cause damage or failure in the circuit it is part of due to a short circuit condition. Thus, this reading is critical in diagnosing issues with the solenoid.