What Is This Thing I've Been Given?!

[MermaidMel]

it's a strip light, 1 end has a white lead going into some big switch thing then the other end has a black lead going into the same switch. the switch is heavy and brick like with the leads going into it and has a flick switch on it.

 

[joecoral]

sounds like a pretty normal starter/ballast unit for a fluorescent t5/t8 light
each of the wires goes to a plastic end cap which attaches to either end of a fluorescent bulb yes?

like this?