What will happen if there is current flow while checking resistance with an ohmmeter?

When checking resistance with an ohmmeter, it is crucial to ensure that no current is flowing through the component being tested. This is because ohmmeters are designed to measure the resistance of a component by passing a small known current through it and measuring the resulting voltage drop. If there is an existing current flow in the circuit, this can create conflicting readings and potentially lead to inaccurate results.

Additionally, the presence of current can lead to excessive heat buildup and overloading of the internal components of the ohmmeter. As these meters are not designed to handle sustained current, this can result in damage to the meter itself. When resistance measurements are taken with live current, the resistance values can be skewed, and the ohmmeter circuit could suffer shorts or other failures, compromising its functionality. Thus, having current flow while checking resistance can indeed damage the ohmmeter.