Hello, I appreciate this forum and any advice anybody has regarding my wiring problem. I have an old Stiffel floor lamp. It has a base, a pole, and one decorative arm that ends with a light socket. The light bulb can be turned on and off at the socket, or it can also be turned on and off by pulling on an outer casing that surrounds the pole, which moves up and down via a spring. Unfortunately, the pole came out of the base today, disconnecting the wiring at the base. The light wont work anymore. :thumbdn: When I opened up the base to take a look at the wiring I got confused: 1. There was a cloth covered, single conductor stranded copper wire hanging free from the bottom of the pole into the base. The cable containing this wire goes all the way up the pole, through the arm and into the socket. 2. There was also a plastic piece attached to the bottom of the base, with two silver wires coming from it. This plastic piece has two small metal circles in opposite corners of the piece. I have no idea what this is. 3. There was also a standard two prong power cord inside the base, with two stranded copper wires inside. Here's what wire connections were left after the fall: One of the power cord's copper wires was attached to one of the silver wires from the plastic piece. That's it. The other copper wire from the power cord, the other silver wire from the plastic piece, and the single conductor copper wire hanging from the bottom of the pole were all unconnected. Does anyone know what the plastic piece is, and what it's purpose is? Does anyone have any idea how to connect the remaining unattached wires, so that I can safely turn the light on? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

I'm new to the forum, so if this item has been addressed in previous threads, I apologize. Anyway, I'm having some trouble with an outdoor post-light with a photocell. I feel like I've connected it properly, however when I reengage the power-supply after completing the hook-up (around dusk) the light will turn on for 5-10 seconds, then turn off. Initially, I suspected a faulty connection, and after having reworking each connection, and turning on the power-supply...same result. The light turns on for 5-10 seconds, then turns off (no flicker, just off). Wondering if anyone has run into this, or if someone might be able to provide some direction as to what might might be causing the problem. Thank you in advance for any insight you might be able to offer!