On Feb 20, 6:22 pm, "RBM" rbm2(remove wrote:
It sounds like you've connected an outlet to a switch leg. If there were
only two wires in the switch box, connected to the switch, you don't have a
neutral, which is required to feed an outlet

"Paul" writes:
well there were technically 3 (black, white, ground)...

The ground doesn't get counted as one of the circuit wires. So there
were only two. In addition, the black paint on the white wire is
supposed to tell you that *both* wires need to be treated as black
(hot), and that the white wire is not neutral.

is it possible to add an outlet to a "switch leg"?

No. The "switch leg" contains two conductors that, if connected
together, turns on a lamp or outlet located somewhere else. You don't
have both (unswitched) hot and neutral, so you cannot connect an outlet.

I'd like to take this opportunity to suggest that you find a book about
DIY electrical work and read it before you do any more additions to your
basement. There are a bunch of conventions you need to follow to ensure
that your changes (a) work, (b) are safe, and (c) can safely be worked
on by someone else. Even if you aren't worried about having your work
meet electrical code (so it will pass an inspection), it should still
follow these conventions and standards for the other reasons listed
above.

Dave