What should the reading be when testing the meter to itself?

When testing the meter to itself, the expected reading being less than 1 ohm indicates that the meter is functioning correctly and that it has a low internal resistance. A low resistance measurement shows that the connections within the meter are intact and that there are no significant issues with the internal components. This is crucial for ensuring accurate readings when measuring resistance in other circuits, as high resistance within the meter could lead to erroneous measurements.

Testing the resistance of the meter to itself helps to confirm its accuracy and reliability. A reading that is significantly higher than 1 ohm could suggest a fault in the meter, such as corrosion or a failure in the internal circuitry, which could mislead the technician in their subsequent measurements of other components. Therefore, keeping the reading below 1 ohm ensures high-quality performance and precision in electrical testing.