Chromo Light Switches

[joniaef]

Dear All,

I have some chrome light switches that I want to install in my flat. One in the Toilet and one in the living room.

In the instructions the first line states that this producted must be earthed. After I removed the currently light switch in the toilet I found that there wasnt a earthing point. The light switch that I am replacing in the living room is already a chrome switch (Current is 3 switch version, I am changing it to a 1 switch version) and after closer inspection I have found that this one isnt earthed either. The one in living room was installed by the previous owner.

So my question is do I really need to earth these switches or can I get away without doing it? I have no interest in re-wiring the flat just for these switches so that is out of the question.

Also is the current switch in the living room dangerous as it isnt earthed?

[ultimatehandyman]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

The light switches must have an earth!

The one that is already wired up in the living rooms, should be replaced with a plastic one, until you can get the wiring sorted.

It can be very dangerous under fault conditions if there is no earth connected to metal light switches.

What colour are the cables that hold the wires going to the switches?

Do you know if there are any earth wires at the actual ceiling roses?

The cheapest option for you is to use plastic light switches, if you want to use metal ones then you may need some re-wiring doing.

[fhwong]

I have exactly the same problem.

I only have two wires in the box both are black. I too want to install a metal light switch.

Is there a way to check if the back box is earthed?

If there is no earth is the only way to change all the light switches to plastic? Or do a rewire?

What about ceiling lights? In the rose there are only two wires as well. Both black.

[ultimatehandyman]

If there is no earth wire in the back box then it is not earthed. Most earth wires are green and yellow, but some older ones are green and some are just bare copper (if sleeving has not been added).

I have not seen any metal switches that do not require earthing, but that does not mean that they do not exist and so you may be able to get them!

If you have no earth wires in the lighting circuit then you must not use any light fitting or switch that must be earthed. You can safely use plastic switches and plastic light fittings.

If you want to use metal switches and fittings that require an earth then a rewire is probably the best option.

[RMS]

Isolate the circuit & take a good look at the twin cable behind the switch, in days gone by the cpc (earth) was sometimes snipped back & not used at the switch.

Or the earth may be supplied by conduit.
If you aint got an earth or cant verify an earth at the switch DONT use metal switches !!!!
Call a sparks to check it out.