End Cap Burned

[jennabee]

Okay we went out of town for about 24 hrs and when we came home are lights were out completly (t-5's). When Adam checked them out only one of the endcaps out of four lights was burned out. I mean literally burned and melted. Does any one know why this would happen? We did replace the end cap and bulb appears to be fine but were not sure what would cause this. Any Ideas?
Thanks Jenna

[Jonthefishguy]

This sometimes happens when there is a short and/or saltwater creep builds up and causes a short and then causes a small fire/melted end cap. I have personally seen this and it was due to a corrosion/short.

[CoryDude]

Had the same thing happen on a t-12 endcap. Salt-creep was the culprit. When you replace the endcap, keep and eye on it, just to make sure there's not a short at the wire or the housing.

[JimD]

A really common problem and sometimes unexpected. The smell is usually the first sign somethings not right. Ive seen a/c plugs sitting on the floor, wet, arcing and burning the carpet to a crisp. Not good. I try to clean up the creep with a vacuum now and then but not nearly enough Im sure.