Dimmer switch very hot???

[what..the?]

Yes it's a rental property so it's very unmaintained by the letting agents however I have already given them a kick up the ass over this switch which was faulty before.

Previously (early this year) it was replaced because we thought the fuse had blown as it just stopped working. While we waited for it be be fixed the switch started to work intermittently and the lights would flash on and off. Just in case it was removed and a new dimmer switch fitted.

Last night after an evening of the lights in our lounge being on ( 2 x chandelier = 6 bulbs) the 'new' dimmer switch was so very hot to touch. The heat was mainly coming from the upper part of the cover in which the buttons are connected.

Is this dangerous, is it a fire hazard, should it be looked at for safety reasons.

Thanks in advance

[raysparx1]

The switch should not get hot, (might get warm) it might be that it is not powerful enough to control both lights, if it is a 250watt dimmer and you have 6 x 60 watt lamps it is going to burn out, why not ask for it to be replaced with a more apt one or for an ordinary plateswitch ? but whatever you decide it needs looking at, it is not likely to be a fire hazard as the components should burn out first, get on to the landlord right away, good luck, Ray

[what..the?]

Thanks Ray for such an informative, friendly and prompt response, I am very grateful, have a good afternoon.

[raysparx1]

Thank you, Hope it gets sorted quickly, take care, Ray