Help chaps Dimmer switch problems

[Cliff]

Hi everyone, I am not an Electrician but have asked questions on here in the past and want to pick your brains. I have just decorated two walls that had wall lights on them, I removed the lights and decorated, now I have replaced them ( making sure they are wired correctly ) the lights tripped the breaker. These are connected to a double dimmer switch ( 1 switch for a small light the other for 3 wall lights ) I have just noticed the switch smells not a burning smell more TCP it that makes sense. Switch off the wall and it looks like smoke coming out of the dimmer

These lights have been in before we moved in and consist of :

3 wall lights on the same dimmer switch , 2 bulbs in each fitting totaling 360 Watt. Now I have taken the switch off the wall as I had this smell I noticed it said 250 Watt Max. Firstly can I get a dimmer to take this load ? and 2nd why is it only now it has gone. I had the lights on full ( we never have them like this normally ) just so I could double check the power was off before removing from the wall. Do you think the switching back on of the trip has blown the dimmer ?

Or should I do anything else at the wall lights to double check ? I was very careful to not damage the wires at the wall and didn't pinch any when putting everything back together.

Can something I do at the wall lights make the dimmer smoke


I am happy to go out and buy a new dimmer but just need some advice I have not missed something.

Thanks

Cliff

 

[Cliff]

yes both on same switch plate 1 switch was for 1 light (small spot in same room ) other switch for the 3 wall lights. so overloaded on that one switch. I can see what you were thinking but each switch was rated at 250watt.

Cliff