Safe to fit external light without earth?

[swing]

I am replacing an old outdoor security light. The current wiring to the light is two core red and blue. The new light has connectins for a blue, brown and a yellow and green earth wire. The instructions say clearly that the light should not be fitted without an earth wire, but this would mean getting new cabling fitted in and be an expensive job for a professional electrician.

My question is, how essential actually is it to have the light earthed? Obviously the old one wasn't. If it is indeed dangerous to fit the new light without an earth, is it likely that I will be able to find a model that doesn't require an earth fitted and if so why would some models need to be earthed and some not? Is it that all modern outdoor lights now require earth connections but older ones didn't?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[andy007]

You can get lights that don't need earth's, if it says fit one I def. would it is much safer.

 

[jkomt]

The reason it states that it NEEDS an earth ground is def for safety. Ask yourself this question, "would I like to be standing in the rain leaning against a metal object that could potentially be electricfied?" If you have an earth ground you would at least have the comfort of know that any stray voltage would go to earth, and not to you.

wiremanhelp .com has some great info on the importance of grounding