Does this need to be earthed?

[sandyRoe]

Does a light switch with a brushed metal surface need to be earthed? There are only two cables, red and black, coming from the wall into the old switch.

[RATTER15]

If there is an earth connector on the switch it should be earthed.
I think any metal fitting would need to be earthed.

[Ankou]

does the new switch have an earthing connector that can be connected to the existing backing plate?

[Ankou]

if you have a look at the 4th picture down, this is what i am referring to...

http://www.ultimateha...cing_light_switch.htm

[sandyRoe]

There is a earthing connection. This switch looked much better than the plain plastic ones but I think I'll take it back to the shop and get one of the plastic ones. Better safe than sorry.

[Ankou]

but if you can loop a wire from the switch to a screw fixing on the backing plate, then cover the wire with a green/yellow sleeve it should be fine.

[sandyRoe]

There is a place on the metal back-plate where the Earth wire could be attached. I'll give it a go.
Thank you both.

[The Builder]

With all respect to Ankou........ I don't want to be a know-all, but I'm afraid that won't do it.
The "earth" conductor (which is obviously missing) would make a circuit to carry a fault current back to Earth at the board, and operate the fuse/mcb/trip or whatever.
With no earth wire, a switch could remain live in the event of a fault .......... definitely unsafe.
If there's no way of connecting back to earth, I think your only option is to fit a non-conductive (plastic) swichplate Sandy :o)

[Ankou]

possible that the earth cable in the original cable has been cut right back to the sleeve?

[Hymie]

The instructions supplied with the switch should clearly state whether the switch is required to be earthed or not.

Older houses tend not to have an earth wire within their lighting circuits – this can be a problem where switches or fittings require an earth connection.

Be aware that many lighting circuit fittings (including those made of metal) include an earth terminal, purely to facilitate through connection of the earth – which provides no safety earth bonding to the switch or light fitting to which it is connected. It is common to find entirely plastic electrical fittings provided with an earth terminal for this reason.