Light Switch - 6amps or 10amps ?

[coug3r]

About 18 months ago I wired some ceiling spotlights into my living room ceiling. 3off x 50w x 240v halogen spots controlled by a 400W rated dimmer switch. I figured this was a high enough rating with plenty of safety factor for the job.

This morning the dimmer switch burnt out. Fortunately I caught the problem before it got serious. With hindsight I should have replaced the dimmer when it stopped dimming but I figured the switch was ok. My mistake.

As you can imagine I am a little concerned at putting another dimmer back on this circuit. Can I use a simple 2 way switch instead and should I go for 6amps or 10amps based on the 3 spots I have ?

The bank of 3 spots ought to be pulling 0.6 amps ( 150w/240v ) so a 6amp switch ought to be OK but would it matter if I used 10amps instead ?

 

[plugwash]

either type of switch will be fine.

 

[coug3r]

Thanks

 

[fireman22]

switch amp rating must be = or higher thab mcb rating
so 6A may not be fine

 

[Stoday]

switch amp rating must be = or higher thab mcb rating
so 6A may not be fine

So the switches on ring final components (sockets & FCUs) should be rated at 32A eh?

 

[fireman22]

stoday, the switch on a socket is controlling one plug top normally, the switch on a spur is feeding through a 13A fuse normally and so 32A doesnt come into it ?????? if someone has a 10A breaker for their lighting circuit and wires four 500 watt flood lights through a 1 gang switch 6A rated this could be a problem therefore switch rating higher than or = mcb and you are safe

 

[securespark]

So the switches on ring final components (sockets & FCUs) should be rated at 32A eh?

Nope, because these accessories are all rated at 13A.

Edit: Sorry, fireman. Didn't see your contribution...