Advice needed! Wire size/ring terminal size

[beadgoodies]

K, I need some help! My kiln needs rewired AGAIN. This is like the 6th time I've had to rewire my kiln in the last 4 months. I'm pretty sure I know what the problem is. My ring terminals are too big! The wires are fanning out too much and are quickly fried.

The terminals I'm using are #10:


The electrical cord I'm using is a standard 14/13 tri type. I need to crimp each of the 3 wires within this cord. (I have no idea what size wires these little buggers are!):


I found some high temperature ring terminals at wiringproducts.com, but I don't know what size to buy!


PLEASE help! Any advice appreciated.

Candy

[categ50]

You really need to find out what gauge the wire is. I'm surprised it's isn't stamped on the wire somewhere. Look again really closely. Sometimes it's not with the brand stamp, but on the other side of the wire, and is hard to read. If it's not there, can you take a piece of it to a Home Depot type store and compare it?
Cate

[beadgoodies]

Well, let me ask you something. Is a 22 gauge wire smaller or larger than a 16 gauge wire? I know, I know. It's such a basic question! It would help if i knew that though!

Candy

[beadgoodies]

HHHH. Well, I am desperate! I ordered the first 2 based on price. I figure, the smaller the price, the smaller the terminals. I'm REALLY hoping one of those is right. I'll find out, I guess...

Candy

[missbatteries]

Yes 22ga wire is smaller than 16ga wire.

[Starrr]

The higher the number the thinner the gauge

[oftenred]

Hope smaller connector helps your problem, but as long as the wires are tightly crimped in the connector it should not make any difference at all if they are fanned out. Are you using the original cord that came on the kiln or has it been changed. If it is a 15 amp kiln 14 ga should be fine. If it is original cord, I would think that the problem is more that the crimp on the connector was not tight. A loose connection will cause the connection to heat up and even fry.