Pentair Microbrite Caught on Fire - Wire Stuck in PVC

[Pats3092]

I saw the same problem yesterday with some Microbrite lights. The transformer used is a PX100 and the wiring seems to be ok.
They exploded inside the conduit but the pool did have water. The temperature got high enough to melt the light and the cable inside the conduit.
Maybe the installation method? When the light was pulled out some air bubbles came out, seems like there was no water inside the conduit.

 

[vjc103]

There is an O-ring at the end of the Microbright light. Not sure what its function is if the light is immersed. Both my neighbor and I removed the O-ring to ensure there's no air pockets surrounding the light (highly unlikely even with the O-ring, but who knows)..

In the installation manual, there's some silly talk about a "dry conduit" and the way to ensure that water does not penetrate inside the said conduit (taping the treads in the picture above). Presumably, the lens exposure to water should be sufficient to cool the lamp off. In reality, those lights melt even when completely immersed.

Sheer madness.