Light switch

[u/Right_Scallion_9129]

I live In an old appartement, and I was thinking of switching my light switches. The issue is that the light switch I bought had green (ground) wire but there's no ground on my old switch. Only thing I can see is that there's a copper wire in the back. What to do i do ?

[u/Ok_Mention_9865]

The copper wire in the back is your ground

[u/tommydelgato]

Yeah, theres not a ground visible from where I am sitting, You should be okay without. The black wires your line. Wirenut the two wires together to make a pig tail for best results. The red wires going to your load. This is all assuming this isnt a 3 way switch. If there is a bare wire, that is ground. I dont see it though

[u/ankole_watusi]

Your description is confusing.

1. Are you saying the new switch has wires coming out, rather than screws or other means of attaching wires?
2. “Switch I bought” - make and model? Is it a smart switch? Or just…. A switch?
3. I find it odd that any Decora style switch would have no ground lug. Is that really what you mean? Or that there’s no wire attached to it? If the box is metal and grounded, the switch is likely grouted through its mounting screws. This is poor practice, but might pass code, and in any case would ground the .switch.
4. If there is a bare copper wire at the beck of the box, it’s a ground wire.
5. Most smart switches need a neutral (normally white) wire to power their internal electronics. If you don’t . You haven’t said what’s what you bought though.
6. If you’re asking these questions, you should hire an electrician!