110v outlet
#1

I am trying to fix one of the 120v ac outlets in my home. It seems that the top outlet doesn't work but the bottom one does. When I switched the hot wires the top outlet worked and the bottom one did not. Is one of the hot wires bad? If so is it easy to fix? I consider myself very slightly above amature level in terms of electrical knowledge. I have no problem changing the outlet but would have a difficult time changing the wire at the juction box.
#2

hello infiniti,
im willing to bet that 1 of the bridges between the 2 screws has broken off or burned in 2. since u made no mention of a 3rd wire or a switch, im assuming this is not a split wired recep.
u have 2 choices here eather replace the outlet, or install a jumper(small piece of wire aprox7" long) between the 2 screws.
im willing to bet that 1 of the bridges between the 2 screws has broken off or burned in 2. since u made no mention of a 3rd wire or a switch, im assuming this is not a split wired recep.
u have 2 choices here eather replace the outlet, or install a jumper(small piece of wire aprox7" long) between the 2 screws.