a specified period. Wire insulation deteriorates rapidly when  subjected to high temperatures.  Separate wires from high-temperature equipment, such as  resistors, exhaust stacks, heating ducts, to prevent insulation  breakdown. Insulate wires that must run through hot areas  with a high-temperature insulation material, such as fiberglass  or PTFE. Avoid high-temperature areas when using cables  with soft plastic insulation, such as polyethylene, because  these materials are subject to deterioration and deformation  at elevated temperatures. Many coaxial cables have this type  of insulation. An arcing fault between an electrical wire and a metallic  flammable fluid line may puncture the line and result in a fire.  Every effort must be made to avoid this hazard by physical  separation of the wire from lines and equipment containing  oxygen, oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid, or alcohol. Wiring must  be routed above these lines and equipment with a minimum  separation of 6 inches or more whenever possible. When such  an arrangement is not practicable, wiring must be routed so  that it does not run parallel to the fluid lines. A minimum of  2 inches must be maintained between wiring and such lines  and equipment, except when the wiring is positively clamped  to maintain at least  1 ⁄ 2-inch separation, or when it must be  connected directly to the fluid-carrying equipment. Install  clamps as shown in  Figure 9-133 . These clamps should not  be used as a means of supporting the wire bundle. Additional  clamps should be installed to support the wire bundle and  the clamps fastened to the same structure used to support the  fluid line(s) to prevent relative motion. Wires, or groups of wires, should enter a junction box, or  terminate at a piece of equipment in an upward direction  where practicable. Ensure that a trap, or drip loop, is provided  to prevent fluids or condensation from running into wire or  cable ends that slope downward toward a connector, terminal  block, panel, or junction block. A drip loop is an area where  the wire(s) are made to travel downward and then up to the  connector.  [Figure 9-134]  Fluids and moisture will flow  along the wires to the bottom of the loop and be trapped there  to drip or evaporate without affecting electrical conductivity  in the wire, junction, or connected device. Where wires must be routed downwards to a junction box  or electrical unit and a drip loop is not possible, the entrance  should be sealed according to manufacturer’s specifications  to prevent moisture from entering the box/unit. Wires and  cables installed in bilges and other locations where fluids  collect must be routed as far from the lowest point as possible  or otherwise be provided with a moisture-proof covering. Wires located on landing gear and in the wheel well area  can be exposed to many hazardous conditions if not suitably  protected. Where wire bundles pass flex points, there must not  be any strain on attachments or excessive slack when parts  are fully extended or retracted. The wiring and protective  tubing must be inspected frequently and replaced at the first  sign of wear. Protection of Wires in Wheel Well Areas Protection Against Solvents and Fluids Wires should be routed so that fluids drain away from the  connectors. When this is not practicable, connectors must be  potted. Wiring which must be routed in wheel wells or other  external areas must be given extra protection in the form of  harness jacketing and connector strain relief. Conduits or  flexible sleeving used to protect wiring must be equipped  with drain holes to prevent entrapment of moisture. Figure 9-134.  Drip loop. Figure 9-133.  Positive separation of wire and fluid lines and  wire clamps. 9-81