Replacing light switch wooden back boxes

Gunner276

Hi, 

I am in the process of decorating and have found that the light switches upstairs have wooden back boxes. 

Some are damaged so I would like to replace the lot. 

Should I use metal or plastic back boxes?

The lighting circuit has no earth wires so I would not be able to earth the back box if this makes a difference?

ThisIsWeird

No earth wire?
Have you considered a rewire?
Can you tell if the cables run in conduits? And they presumably come down from the loft? If so, this should not be too costly. Unless the rest of the house needs doing too...

Ectophile

Obviously, the ideal thing would be to rewire the circuits, and add in the earths.  Your wiring must date back to the mid-1960's or earlier.

In the meantime, don't put in metal back boxes, as they won't be earthed, and neither will the screws holding the switches on - they screw into the back box.  At least plastic ones will be insulating.

Check that all your light fittings are either all plastic or double insulated.  Metal ones that need an earth won't be safe.