Switched receptacle confusion

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leon99

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Hello,
I have two receptacles controlled by a single switch. Both outlets on both receptacles are 'switch controlled' and no tabs are broken. All three boxes have a single wire with white/black/ground.

Is there any way to make one 1/2 receptacle (i.e. one of the outlets) 'always on'? I also don't understand how this could have been wired without any additional wires and pigtails?
 
Yes you could by running another wire to the box and breaking off the tab.
 
Make it constant hot and install an X-10 or Radiora system for your outlets.
 
With an incand. test light, first check if any wire in the outlet box in which you want to have unswitched power, is always hot when measured with respect to ground.
You might get lucky.

A 7-1/2w bulb in a socket with pigtail leads makes a good all-around tester and it can also check GFCI operation.
 
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