$ssl returns $false for a connection which has been set to use SSL, but on which a connection has not been attempted.
eg.
/server -en irc.distributed.net:994
[color:blue]In new status window:
//echo -a $ssl[/color]
will echo $false.
However, if you then attempt the connection, whether you succeed and then disconnect or even if it fails, $ssl will return $true.