http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/files/intermatic/products/instructions/timers/e1010%20-%20english.ashxHalf of the online manual is upside down.
According to the manual, the
clock motor that operates the timer requires a separate Neutral wire.
The clock motor is a separate circuit, just like your alarm clock.
The wiring is:
Black-hot-from-breaker connects to timer-black wire
Wire-to-Load connects to timer-red wire
Timer-white wire connects to Neutral.
The Neutrals are white wires twisted together and covered with a wire nut.
Not every box has Neutrals ... in that case, connect timer-white wire to bare copper wire.
Bare copper wires connect back to the Neutral busbar in breaker box.
Attaching your white wire to ground is not code, but it will work.
How to test your wires:
Separate wires
Turn on power
Test each wire to bare ground
Tester lights up on Hot wire from breaker
Now test Hot from breaker to each of the other wires, except ground.
Tester lights up on Neutral