I had a dead switch and live outlet combo. Never figured out what the switch was for, so decided to cap it and replace with two-outlet. Opened up the box and found one black and one white wire to the outlet, and one single red wire to the switch. Switch and outlet were on different circuits. Ran a ground wire to the ground screw inside the box and reconnected the black and white to the new 2-outlet. Since I did this two days ago, two small appliances plugged in there have died, so I opened it up and re-tested the wires. Both the black and white wire are hot. Not understanding how this is possible. Used a receptacle analyzer, and all three lights light up, which isn't a status explained at all in the instructions. I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do from here. Any ideas?

Guys, The plan is to buy a 8kW Generac portable generator, to feed a Generac manual transfer switch (10-16 circuits, 30A). The manual transfer switch is fed from the main panel via a 60A feed. The generator puts out 8kW through a 30A outlet and appropriate wiring to the transfer switch. I want to back up the following circuits: 1. 2 Air handlers, 240x15A each. These are only used for AC, not heat. BUT, the 24VAC source that powers my Honeywell thermostats comes from these air handlers. The same thermostats also run the oil burner. That said, in winter, with power outage, the air handlers will need power to power the thermostats so that the heat will work. I know, inefficient but the total draw would be next to nothing on these two circuits in a back up mode. Only used for heat, not for AC in a power outage. 2. Well Pump. 240x20A 3. Fridge - 120x20A 4. Oil Boiler - 120x15A 5. Outlets to Family Room - 120x15A 6. Lights to Family Room - 120x15A 7. Lights to Bathroom - 120x15A 8 Heat Pump Water Heater - 240x30A Only uses about 0.7kW in heat pump mode. We only use the heat pump mode, and never the resistive elements... So, if we add all the above, it is clearly over the 60A feed to the switch panel from the service. I can live without the water heater being powered by generator (though it would be nice), but would like to have the other circuits powered. That said, will this work? The reality is that all these device are unlikely to be on at the same time, and hence shouldn't break the 60A feed under normal day to day conditions, as they draw nowhere near the peak current of the individual branch circuits. Thoughts? Thanks, Bryan