Ok, first off, I have one question: 1: The outlet in question is at the END of the circuit- IE there is only one set of hot/neutral wires going into it. Does it matter if they are connected to the top 2 or the bottom 2 connectors on the outlet? Now the real question 2.) I’ve analyzed the outlet with a small tester, and it says that the Neutral wire is not connected. Looking at the outlet, the wire appears to be screwed on, but I want to remove it, and reattach it. I’m not sure which circuit breaker controls that particular outlet, since the place I’m living at doesn’t have the box properlly labled. This might be a stupid question, but is it remotely safe at ALL to try and disconnect/re-connect the neutral wire with the power ON? Keep in mind this outlet is at the end of the circuit, and the other outlets on the circuit work fine. Thanks for giving this noob some advice. Thanks Fizixx, I thought that each outlet (2 plugs each) had two sets of hot/neutral wires… but this makes zero sense now that i think about it. As for the other question asked, the entire outlet doesn’t work. Both plugs won’t light anything. my outlet tester said that the outlet itself had a misconnected Neutral wire. Later tonight I will try and find the right circuit breaker.

Answer:
There is a “tab” between the screws on both sides. The Hot (usually black) goes on the gold (or dark) colored screw. The Neutral (should be white) goes on the silver (or light) colored screw. It is never “safe” to work on anything that has power to it. You can be EXTREMELY careful, but all it takes is for you not to be paying attention on where that screwdriver is when you reach for something else. (Just as my helper) LOL! Since there is only one set of wires at that particular outlet and if you’re sure that there is no neutral present at the outlet itself (on the wires), then you’re problem is not that outlet. it’s at the one before it, since all the rest ot them work. As far as finding which breaker it is, chances are that it is on the same ones with the rest of the room. Beware, that isn’t ALWAYS the case, so be careful. Good luck in all you do and may God bless. Electrician since 1977

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