In a split receptacle, how is the outlet typically configured?

• A. Both halves are controlled by separate switches
• B. It is protected by a GFCI
• C. One half is controlled by a wall switch, the other half is always on
• D. Both halves are always on

Answer: (C)

A split receptacle is designed so one half is controlled by a wall switch while the other half stays energized all the time. This is achieved by breaking the hot-side connection inside the outlet so the two halves can be fed separately: the switched hot feeds one half, and the constant hot feeds the other, while the neutral side remains common. The result lets you plug a lamp or device into the switched half and have it turn on and off with the wall switch, while the other half provides continuous power for a clock, charger, or similar device. The other ideas don’t fit because they either assume two switches for two halves, rely on safety features like GFCI protection rather than the switching arrangement, or describe both halves as always energized, which isn’t what a split receptacle is.