Cogar. You are correct in saying that ………
Frogpatch, that is why I pre-apologized to you for being the Devil’s Advocate. I knew a little bit about it due to my 20 years in computer engineering and manufacturing and one of my bestest beer drinking friends n’ co-worker was the UL/CSI (Canadian) compliant Electrical Engineer for all of our products. My knowledge of 110/220 wiring, instillations, codes, rules, etc., for private residences is not “expert” class but fair enough to “pass inspection” in many, but not all,, locales. In some places, local statutes stipulate that all electrical work must be done by a card-carrying IBEW member.
Now I probably should refrain from any more critiquing on this subject, but, I am an Educator, via Degree, and thus a compulsion to prevent a misunderstanding of correctly stated information and/or to correct misinformation to prevent it from being propagated to unsuspecting individuals.
Thus said, …. the key phrase in your NEC statement was “
to pass inspection” and iffen your power is “ON”, meaning already inspected, whatever you do is
your problem if something goes wrong. (Which might negate your insurance coverage.)
Now whether one does their electrical work themselves, or hires it done, it should be done “
to Code” simply for safety reasons.
And the “illegality” associated with the non-compliance of/with “the Code” is a
sticky-wicky one depending on whether it is residential or
commercial property and/or you are the owner or the
contractor/licensed electrician that did or is doing the work.
Cheers