Very Odd Lighting Fixture Electrical Problem

[ARCOgraphite]

My 91 y.o. mother (legally blind) in FL was replacing a bulb in a 3-lamp dining room fixture switched by a dimmer. She was replacing the bulb with the lamp live; when she tried to put the new bulb in (using an incorrect (small) candle base instead off std base bulb) the other 2 bulbs went OFF. The neighbor (also an elderly woman) came by with a new, correct bulb. She put in the new bulb and the fixture will still not switch on. I Talked to the helper woman on my cell phone and had her check the circuit breaker. None were "thrown". She toggled it OFF and ON but the fixture will still not light.
Any suggestions on the next repair move? I assume the fixture would NOT have a "fusable link".

 

[BigCahuna]

She may have shorted the dimmer switch. check to see if there's power to the dimmer switch with a meter or test light. She may need a new dimmer switch, or replace it with a regular switch.,,

 

[The_Jeff]

If she shorted the fixture she could have arced a semi-bad contact inside the wall box before the breaker went off. If you aren't able to get over there better call an electrician.

 

[TFB1]

X2 on the dimmer being blown... Solid state components are very susceptible to arcs/shorts which is likely what happened when the incorrect bulb was inserted...

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The breaker wasnt thrown - which I think is odd. I'm up north so, I'll have an electrician come out after the Labour Day weekend. Thanks for the responses!

 

[pcoxe]

X3 on the dimmer switch being blown.

 

[Rick in PA]

4X on the dimmer probably being blown. While not an electrical engineer, I have some experience with electronic speed controls (~same thing). The components in a dimmer will only be rated for a little more than the max rated load on the dimmer (600W?). Anyway, I'd expect the dimmer to blow long before a 15A circuit breaker.

 

[mechtech2]

X5 on a short causing a problem.
Probably the switch, but could be the lamp internals.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

if it was shorted would not the breaker be tripped? OTW the house wiring would burn?

 

[mechtech2]

A weak link may go out before a breaker trips.
Esp with old used stuff.

 

[Papa Bear]

Bad dimmer, probably blew the triac open.