The source neutral is connected to one of the neutral terminals on the receptacle. This outlet configuration is common in homes built in the 1980s when this method of wiring reached peak popularity.
2011 Nec Power Switch 3 Way Half Switched Electrical Wiring
Half switched outlet wiring diagram. The tab connecting the hot terminals on the receptacle is removed and the source hot is connected to the bottom half. Also shown is the half of the receptacle that is live at all times and the tab that must be cut in order to split the receptacles. A half switched outlet is an outlet where either the top or bottom half of the outlet is controlled by a switch while the other half is always on. With the installation described in this question you will need to purchase an outlet that has a removable tab or a provision for separating the top outlet from the. Just install a new outlet using only the permanent hot in the box and cap off the switched wire with a wire nut. The wiring and connections will depend on where the power enters the circuit.
This diagram illustrates the wiring for a split half outlet controlled with a switch loop. If it is not a half hot you may still be able to do it depending on how the wiring is run. Switched split outlet wiring diagram for controlling the half of two duplex electrical receptacles by a wall switch without a neutral conductor. Wiring a half hot switched outlet how to wire a half hot switched outlet so that a wall switch controls half of the receptacle outlet and the other half remains on all the time. If the outlet is a half hot only half the outlet is switched the fix is easy. The connections for a switched outlet also known as a half hot plug.
The switched outlet wiring configurations show two different wiring scenarios which are most commonly used. Wiring a split switched outlet with a switch loop. This video explains one wiring approach for creating a half switched outlet to.