Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Replacing a dimmer with a standard switch.

In the bathroom we have a light fixture with 5 bulbs on a dimmer switch. I want to convert to flourescent bulbs and therefore need to remove the dimmer.

I picked up a standard switch the other day. It doesn't have a green screw for a ground. When taking apart the dimmer, I noticed the dimmer did have a green ground wire hooked up.

So, do I need the ground with this switch?

Thanks.

I hate it when stores sell stupid stuff. This switch is for older homes without grounding systems and is required if replacing one alike it. Take it back and get one with a grounding lug.

You don't need the ground.

take it back and get one with a ground screw. My father would say aaah you dont need the ground on a switch. Being that he is not an electrician and i am, ground it.

Especially if you have plastic boxes (which most houses use currently) you should have a ground wire attatched to the switch.

If the switch were to short out internally, it could energize any metal part of the switch. With the ground wire attatched, the breaker will trip and de-energize the circuit like it is supposed to.

If there is no grounding conductor attatched, any metal can be energized and the breaker would not trip. BIG safety hazard.

If you were to turn on/off the switch with wet hands (oh, don;t say I never would do that, I think we are all guilty of such things from time to time) and the water happened to make a connection between you and the metal and you are grounded somewhere..........ZZZAAAP! It's lights out for you and I'm not talking about the one over your head.