help please: fitting metal light switch

[brute33]

I am replacing an old plastic light switch in my kitchen with one with a metal face plate.

When I removed the old plastic face plate I saw it was connected up with a single black and a single red wire. There was a third bare wire not connected to anything. The switch was fitted into a stud partition wall with a plastic back box.

Is it safe for me to assume this bare wire is an earth wire and just connect it up to the face plate of the new switch? Is there an easyish way for me to test that the wire is properly earthed? Or should I just play safe and put the ugly old plastic switch back?

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The bare wire will be your earth (cpc), you should be able to trace it back to your consumer unit, by doing a continuity test, you will need a multi metre to do this.
You should also while you are at it, purchase some yellow/green pvc sleeving for the bare wire.
Like this
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CAGS3slash10.html

 

[cumbriahandyman]

The bare wire will be your earth (cpc), you should be able to trace it back to your consumer unit, by doing a continuity test, you will need a multi metre to do this.
You should also while you are at it, purchase some yellow/green pvc sleeving for the bare wire.
Like this
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CAGS3slash10.html[/QUOTE]

You will also need a longish wire with bulldog clips on either end.