eskimo is correct. an unenergized gp is less than 1 ohm. as soon as current is applied the element heats and resistance goes through the ceiling. a simple experiment: take a short piece of copper wire and measure it's resistance, which will be very very close to zero. then have a friend heat the middle of the wire with a cigarette lighter and you will see the resistance increase incredibly. in the gp electric current takes the place of the cigarette lighter.