Shane's description is very good. I only want to add that it is usually not the melting point of the insulation that is the limit. Rather, it is the temperature which will degrade the material over a very long period of time. The melting point of PVC is at least 150C, but it will become brittle by exposure to only 100C for a long period of time.
[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 07-12-2004).]
