I have 2 broken meters now. The old similar LCD meter was working fine before I redid things.
I was rewiring the panel, going to add a second meter.
I plugged the new meter in and left the amp sense current coil disconnected.
Turned on the AC power and the new meter exploded with a brilliant flash and pop.
So I then unplugged it and plugged in the old proven working LCD meter. It was reading normal 120 vac and no current. Then a few seconds later it also exploded the same way.

So what happened??
Will meter break if current sense coil wire is disconnected?
Original meter worked fine for 2 years, other was new.

I closely looked them over and their is no visible signs. these meters are backlit.
The ones that broke have tiny white ac power plug for volts and a screw wire adapter for current sense coil.

I plan to buy 2 new ones that use the screw wire adapter for both volts and amps like this here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-100A-...-Panel-Amp-Voltmeter-110V-220V-/390994888707?
These also have a cover on the back, mine did not.

Before I get another set, what went wrong with these? And they are dead, backlight off, cant read any numbers.

Thanks to you if you can help.

 

you probably had the meter on current across the ac line. remember, voltage across the line, current in series with the line.

 

Ok, your correct, I messed up the wiring connections.

 

I dont know anyone who has never done that. at least you have a chance to learn from it.