Something inside my 800 w/s flash strobe exploded. But it is still working! What happened?

I plugged it in and heard a slight popping sound. The flash power output was set at 400 w/s. I pushed the 'Test' button to fire the flash and something inside the flash unit exploded. Sounded just like one of those small red fire crackers.
The unit still fires flashes.
I'm assuming that there are several capacitors in parallel in the circuit and that one of them exploded.
Is it possible for capacitors to explode & if so, what causes them to explode?

The unit was a White Lighting, UltraZAP UZ800 Flash Unit.

yes they explode, at least the electrolytic type. they generate internal heat if too much current passes through them, the heat causes the chemicals to expand explosively. you really need to get the unit examined and cleaned. the chemicals from the capacitor are acids that can corrode other components they contact if not neutralized and cleaned out. the technician can spot the defective part visually.

flash/strobe shadows and umbrellas

4-channel Wireless Hot shoe + Studio Strobe Flash Trigger Umbrella Holder Y099 $23.99

4-channel Wireless Hot shoe + Studio Strobe Flash Trigger Umbrella Holder Y099 $23.99

American DJ Mega Flash DMX 800W DMX Strobe Light NEW $199.01

PENTAX AF-200FG Auto Strobe Flash NEW AF200FG $269.99

10pcs Photo Light Modeling Lamp for Strobe/Flash 150w $45.99

10pcs Photo Light Modeling Lamp for Strobe/Flash 75w $15.99

TR 2 x 22 LED Car Truck Flash Strobe Light NEW White $0.99

Road Racing Bike LED Head Flash Strobe Lights Bicycle Rear Tail RED Signal Light $4.40

Laser Flash Strobe Light Projection Lights Lighting System Overhead Projector $31.20

Road Racing Bike LED Head Lights Bicycle Rear Tail RED Flash Strobe Signal Light $4.05

LED 3 Mode Output Strobe Flash Light Flashlight Metal Aluminium Hand Torch Lamp $12.30

180W PHOTO Monolight Strobe Flash STUDIO LIGHT D2AA $56.49

750W (3 X 250W ) Blazzeo Strobe Studio Flash Light Lighting soft box Trigger D2Q $369.59

12" Car Truck Knight Rider LED Scanner Decoration Strobe Flash Strip Light Blue $6.54

Flash Kit 540w Photography D3Q Studio Strobe Light $298.00

12" Car Truck Knight Rider LED Scanner Decoration Strobe Flash Strip Light Blue $4.36

LED 3 Mode Output Strobe Flash Light Flashlight Metal Aluminium Hand Torch Lamp $12.90

Blazzeo 180W Studio Strobe Flash Light 110V D2AB $57.99

2x Street Bike Bicycle Tire Car Wheel 7 LED Flashing Flash Light Strobe Lighting $2.45

A45s Slave Flash Light Photo Studio Strobe Light AC Slave Flash Bulb E27 Godox $17.99

GODOX Pro Photography Studio Strobe Photo Flash Light 300ws 300w Lamp 110V New $135.99

2x Street Bike Bicycle Tire Car Wheel 7 LED Flashing Flash Light Strobe Lighting $2.60

Conical Snoot 9.8cm w/ Honeycomb for Studio Flash/Monolight/Strobe GY ect $14.80

Laser Flash Strobe Light Projection Lights Lighting System Overhead Projector $32.10

90WS Starter Flash/Strobe Lighting Kit NEW NR $119.00

12" Car Truck Knight Rider LED Scanner Decoration Strobe Flash Strip Light white $4.67

54 Amber LED Car/Truck Strobe Blink Flash Lights/Lightbars for Deck Dash Grille $42.29

12" Car Truck Knight Rider LED Scanner Decoration Strobe Flash Strip Light white $4.75

200W Spare Ring Flash Tube Strobe New Replacement 230V $31.60

Photo Studio Flash Strobe Light Lighting Wireless Kit 900ws Total $641.11

Road Racing Bike LED Head Lights Bicycle Rear Tail RED Flash Strobe Signal Light $4.55

Indoor 220V 45W photo AC slave studio flash strobe light bulb S45T E27 GN29 NEW $20.66

Mettle 400 Watt Professional Monolight Strobe Flash 150 Watt Modeling Lamp. $185.00

Road Racing Bike LED Head Flash Strobe Lights Bicycle Rear Tail RED Signal Light $4.90

VINTAGE TIFFEN POCKET STROBE FLASH MODEL 234 FOR POCKET INSTAMATIC 20, 30, 40 $2.99

Portable Photo Studio Strobe Light Stand/Tripod for Flash Mount Holder Bracket $33.99

Strobe Flash Snoot Honeycomb Bowens S-Type SPEED RING $0.80

4 LED Super Bright High Power Flash Strobe Light Amber $25.99

4 LED Super Bright High Power Flash Strobe Light White $25.99

4 LED Bright High Power Flash Strobe Light White/Amber $25.99

8 LED Super Bright High Power Flash Strobe Light Amber $35.90

8 LED Super Bright High Power Flash Strobe Light White $35.90

8 LED Bright High Power Flash Strobe Light White/Amber $35.90

150W E27 Studio Light Bulb Lamp for Strobe Slave Flash $12.79

250W E27 Studio Light Bulb Lamp for Strobe Slave Flash $13.79

2x Street Bike Bicycle Tire Car Wheel 7 LED Flashing Flash Light Strobe Lighting $2.60

18 Flash Patterns 36 LED Emergency Strobe Amber Light $37.99

Emergency 4x 8 High Power LED Strobe Flash Light J4x8-7 $28.99

BRITEK,1000WS 3 STROBE FLASH PORTRAIT STUDIO LIGHT KIT $599.00

12" Car Truck Knight Rider LED Scanner Decoration Strobe Flash Strip Light Green $6.50

Laser Flash Strobe Light Projection Lights Lighting System Overhead Projector $32.10

LED 3 Mode Output Strobe Flash Light Flashlight Metal Aluminium Hand Torch Lamp $13.80

IFK120 XENON FLASH STROBE LIGHT 120 JOULES! 10 TUBES $26.00

120 Watts GODOX Pro Studio Strobe Photo Flash SpeedLight Light photosensitive $66.97

4 X 3 LED Amber/White Car Strobe Flash Emergency Light 3 Flashing Modes $10.42

4 X 3 LED Amber Car Strobe Flash Emergency Grill Light 3 Flashing Modes $10.42

4 X 3 LED White Car Strobe Flash Emergency Grill Light 3 Flashing Modes $10.42

250W Studio Light Flash Strobe 110V Photo Light F250 $81.40

36 LED 4X9 12V Car Amber/White Emergency Flash Strobe Light 3 Flashing Modes $28.48

Wheelock Exceder Fire Alarm Strobe | 24V DC 253mA | 1.025Hz Flash Rate | 24V FWR $19.99

36 LED 4X9 12V Car Amber Grill Emergency Flash Strobe Light 3 Flashing Modes $28.48

36 LED 4X9 12V Car White Grill Emergency Flash Strobe Light 3 Flashing Modes $28.48

Road Racing Bike 12 LED Head Lights Bicycle Rear Tail Flash Strobe Signal Light $4.10

Road Racing Bike LED Head Flash Strobe Lights Bicycle Rear Tail RED Signal Light $5.10

Road Racing Bike LED Head Lights Bicycle Rear Tail RED Flash Strobe Signal Light $4.65

12" Car Truck Knight Rider LED Scanner Decoration Strobe Flash Strip Light white $1.23

990W Studio Monolight Strobes Flash Lighting Kit 3X 330W $438.00

18 LED Amber/White Flash Strobe Windscreen Car Light 3 Flashing Modes $9.30

4 x 22 LED Amber Flashing Emergency Strobe Flash Light for Car $9.49

950W Strobe Studio Flash Light Kit Lighting Photography + Trigger $435.00

18 LED Flash Strobe Dash Emergency Car Light Amber/White 3 Flashing Modes $15.95

18 LED Flash Strobe Grill Dash Emergency Car Light White 3 Flashing Modes $15.95

Set Car Truck 22 LED White Flashing Flash Strobe Light $6.19

4 x 22 LED Amber Flashing Emergency Strobe Flash Light for Car $9.49

Metz PC Flash / Strobe Cord 45 CT-1 CT1 New in Package $4.99

88 LED Amber Flashing Flash Strobe Light for Car Truck $9.49

Nikonos SB 105 SB105 Underwater Strobe Flash Nikkor Nikon in Excellent Condition $91.00

Minty Dual TTL Sync Cord Nikonos Nikkor Nikonos Strobe Flash fits SB 102 103 105 $33.05

2x48 LED Emergency Car Boat Truck Strobe Flash Light 3 mode White $21.89

44 LED White Flash Strobe Light + Flashing Controller $12.32