What does Open Circuit Voltage mean?

[Inventor man]

I have a multimeter and for the "ohmeter section" for resistance it goes from a range of

~ 200 Ohms to 2000 kilo-ohms

and then says also...

Max. Open Circuit Voltage: about 3V
Overvoltage protection: 250V AC


Thank you in advance

 

[anorlunda]

An ohmmeter measures the ratio of voltage to current. It applies the voltage itself. It is telling you that with infinite resistance, it can apply 3 volts. It probably has no practical significance to you.

 

[Averagesupernova]

Most modern ohmmeters don't have an open circuit voltage that is much over a couple of volts. However, older stuff that used tubes could have an open circuit voltage on the order of 30 volts. This is important to remember if you ever run into one of these. Seems unlikely but never say never.