Light switch wiring

[Cuz]

Hi,
Sorry if this is going to sound stupid but a light switch (Metal face plate type) blew in the kitchen last night, i took the cover off the switch to take a look and noticed 2-red wires and one-Yellow/Brown wire.
The 2-red wires are connected to the black plastic connector and the Yellow/Brown wire is connected to the earth screw connector on the plate itself.

I've just been down to my local hardware store and bought a new light switch (Plastic face plate type) but there's no connector on this new one for the Yellow/Brown earth wire

Do i need to use the earth wire

What do i do with the earth wire if i don't need to use it

Sorry if this has already been asked before, i've done a search of the site but found nothing...

Thanks

David

 

[DESL]

The earth wire (which should be sleeved yellow and green) should connected to the back box via the clamp screw in the back corner.

 

[Cuz]

The earth wire (which should be sleeved yellow and green) should connected to the back box via the clamp screw in the back corner.

Indeed it is Yellow/Green the earth wire, perhaps you shouldn't play with wiring if you're colour blind

I couldn't see the "Clamp screw" to connect the earth wire to, so i've just been out to Wilkinsons and bought another metal face plate type switch that's got an earth connector on it, problem solved i hope.

Thanks for your help.

David

 

[bongos]

the plastic switches don't need a connection to earth (so terminate the earth wire in the back of the metal box).

The metal faceplates need an earth connection direct to them so that you avoid any nasty shocks if for some reason your entire switch goes live and also a connection to the clamp at the back of the metal box as well.