In these setups, one half of the outlet may be controlled by a switch, while the other half stays always on. This lets you plug in a lamp for easy on/off lighting while still powering devices like chargers or clocks.
Some electricians install these outlets upside down as a visual cue that they function differently from standard ones. However, this is a convention, not a rule.
There is no national electrical code requiring a specific orientation. That means the way outlets are installed can vary depending on the electrician, region, or builder preference.
Because of that, an upside-down outlet doesn’t always mean it is switched. In some homes, it’s simply a stylistic choice or part of local building habits.
