quick single pole switch question

[1982fxr]

I live in a rental and just replaced the single pole light switch in my bathroom next to the shower and sink. The neutral had never been hooked up. How dangerous was that?

 

[Falcon67]

A switch just switches a hot leg, not a neutral. If the neutral is the return from whatever was switched, it shouldn't have worked in the first place. Hard to say without more details.

 

[1982fxr]

it was one of these, where the 2 wires go in and then there is a green screw. The bare copper wire was inside the wall, but not hooked up to the switch. It had a loop in it like it used to be at one time...it's a 3 bay with two outlets next to it.

http://www.junglee.com/Pass-Seymour-TM870ICP-Trademaster-Decorator/dp/B000GUPQJO

 

[jeffmoss26]

The bare copper wire is the ground, not the neutral.

 

[1982fxr]

errr, yeah that's what i meant to type. Ground, not neutral

 

[Falcon67]

Means the metal frame of the switch wasn't grounded. The copper would go on the green screw.

 

[matt151617]

If the box is metal and is grounded, then it doesn't really matter.