"the other has tape over it in the on position…can anyone explain why" = Don't turn this off. Reason unknown.

It's a live socket and they don't want the lamp, tv, etc turned off with the switch?

I think the label fell off. It read, "In the event of a zombie apocalypse, turn switch off."

Have you checked the electrical panel box to see if any description is written there with all the breakers?

Is there a remote ceiling fan in the room? I would turn the switch off and see if it affects the fireplace, ceiling fan, lighting, or outlets in the room.

I bet it’s for one of the outlets. Our bedroom has two similar switches. I have high-end scotch tape over them. One is for the outlet next to our bed that I have a lamp and phone charger plugged into. The other is for ceiling fan that we have a remote for. The ceiling fan light must work with a neighbor’s remote as well because it randomly turns on/off. Or it’s the apocalypse.
And we have one more in our dining for an outlet in a good place for a lamp.

It controls the fire alarm. If the fire alarm goes off during the night, turn off the switch to silence it and go back to bed.

Jokes aside, turn it off and see what stops working. Then you will know. Plug lights into as many outlets as you can to map which ones might be controlled by the switch.

I have a switch taped in the garage on a three switch box, it's for the outside lights which I now have motion detector light fixtures installed so I want to leave them on. My dad also had to switches taped for the same reason.

There was a wiring error. It controls power to your neighbor's house.

There was a wiring error. It controls power to your neighbor's house.

Our vacant lot that we purchased had a mystery outlet. It once belonged to the existing house behind us that was built 20 years prior so I figured it was controlled by them. The house (and lot) changed hands several times prior to our purchase. When we finally convinced the current owner to disconnect the circuit, his solution was to tape the switch so it could not be turned on. He changed his mind when I told him the neutral and hot wires were going to be wired together.

It's connected to a large electromagnet that supports the roof. If you turn it off, the magnetic field will be lost and the house will collapse.

Please only serious responses!

I have a switch that is taped on in my bedroom. It controls the outlets that the two bedside clocks are plugged into.

It's hard to tell in the picture. Is that a regular electrical outlet below it? Honestly, the only one that could answer your question is the prior owner.

It's just a spare. If the adjacent switch fails, you can wire up this one and save a trip to Home Depot.

Electromagnet? Stop playing around, everyone knows those switches one come in Ivory. That fireplace is listed on a website selling secret passageways model 249W and the switch will unlatch and swing out the fireplace to a hidden room. Was featured on an episode of the family guy i believe.

My parents home had one, it was for the furnace….I think a repair person one time turned it off, asa result, my parents taped it. I purchased a plastic switch cover to replace the tape.

The family room in my former home had a switch for 2 outlets in the family room.

Don't touch that switch! If you flip it, a disco ball will drop from the ceiling, Donna Summer will appear via hologram, and a sign in the yard will invite the neighbors to the disco party. And they'll all expect you to pay for the snacks and drinks!