What role does an ohmmeter play in electrical troubleshooting?

An ohmmeter primarily functions to test circuit continuity, which is crucial in electrical troubleshooting. When a circuit is broken or has an open connection, the ohmmeter can detect this by measuring the resistance in the circuit. A normal functioning circuit will show a low resistance value, indicating continuity, while a break in the circuit will show infinite resistance or a very high value, indicating no continuity. This ability to confirm whether paths in the circuit are connected or broken is essential when diagnosing faults in electrical systems.

While other instruments and methods can assess voltage, resistance with respect to load, and current flow, they do not directly fulfill the specific role of testing circuit continuity that an ohmmeter does. Thus, the function of an ohmmeter is vital for troubleshooting by ensuring the integrity of the circuit pathways.