The electrical box housing the switch must also be grounded, as it contains the wiring connections and the switch itself. The ground wire is a dedicated safety feature that serves no purpose in the switch's operation, which is solely. The switch is considered equipment that must be grounded because its internal mechanisms are attached to a metal mounting strap, or yoke. Older buildings sometimes lack ground wires under previous code requirements, but renovations trigger current code compliance regardless. The short answer is yes — in almost every case, your switches should be properly grounded. Let's break down why grounding is important, how modern switches are designed, and what you need to know to stay safe. If at all workable to maximize safety.
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