Receptacle needs 1 Hot wire and 1 Neutral wire to complete circuit.
It sounds like you have 1 Hot wire and 1 Load wire but no Neutral wire.
Neutrals are not always present in switch box.
As a general rule, if a switch box has Neutral wires, they are twisted
together and covered with wire nut, and then pushed to back of box.
Every receptacle box has Hot and Neutral wire. Hot connects to brass screw, and Neutral connects to silver screw. The two wires together complete circuit when you plug in a lamp.
So each receptacle box has Neutral wires, and you can get a Neutral wire from receptacle box and bring it over to the switch box. This work takes every tool and probably touch-up paint.
Here is a link showing how to drop a wire down to your switch box:
You have to tear out old switch box, and then install 'old work box.'
Old switch box is nailed into 2x4s. Pry box out a bit, then reach in with hacksaw blade and cut nails.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Install-owb.htmlHere are two more links that show basic 240V and 120V circuits:
http://waterheatertimer.org/B220C.htmlhttp://waterheatertimer.org/See-inside-main-breaker-box.htmlAdd a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixyas phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on electric.
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