Summary of "Backrooms - Lighting and Tile Survey"

Summary — Backrooms: Lighting and Tile Survey

Key findings and phenomena

Persistent live electrical conduit with no identifiable external power source. Attempts to cut power to a fluorescent troffer failed because the conduit remained live.
Fluorescent fixtures operate continuously, suggesting a continuous or autonomous power source that remains unidentified.
Ballasts are electromagnetic, designed for 60 Hz, and produce a pronounced 120 Hz hum caused by magnetostriction and core vibration. Noise may increase with loose lamination plates or degraded potting.
Materials and components are largely standard and durable with minimal wear consistent with long-term use; their ordinary composition makes the unidentified power source more puzzling.
Structural/ambient observations indicate multiple floors, ventilation, and some insulation on the floor above.

Methods / procedures

Attempted to isolate/cut power to the nearest fluorescent troffer; the source could not be isolated.
Used an insulated toolkit to isolate the fixture from its electrical conduit.
Extracted the troffer from the ceiling and transported it to “STANDARD” for analysis.
Took a 0.5 m sample of the conduit; secured exposed wiring in the ceiling afterward.
Measured and sampled a ceiling tile (dimensions and compositional estimation).
Performed visual and rudimentary material/component analyses on the fixture, bulbs, wiring, diffuser, and ballast.

Materials, components, and compositions

Ceiling tile - Dimensions: 1.27 m × 1.14 m (nonstandard size). - Estimated composition: - ~60% mineral wool (amorphous silicate, e.g., basalt/slag-derived) - ~20% expanded perlite (SiO2 and Al2O3) - Remainder: mixture of silicates, starch, latex polymers, and recycled cellulose/organic fibers - Physical features: fissured texture with mild tegular edges

Troffer housing - Galvanized steel with a thin zinc coating

Bulbs - Closest match: T12 form factor (approx. 1.2 m length, 38.1 mm diameter) — nonstandard proportion noted - Components: phosphor coating (calcium halophosphate), small quantity of mercury vapor, argon gas, G13 two-pin base - Manufacturer marking: Sylvania, model marked F40SW (Soft White), made in USA (no visible date)

Wiring - PVC-insulated copper conductors (standard construction)

Diffuser - Prismatic diffuser made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Ballast - Electromagnetic type with laminated steel core and copper windings - Designed for 60 Hz operation; emits a 120 Hz hum

Labels, markings, and dating

Ballast: labeled “UNIVERSAL ballast, Type A,” marked manufactured in 1975, serial A75234X
Troffer: stamped 3X432, manufactured 1973 in Reading, Pennsylvania; UL-listed
Bulbs: marked by Sylvania as F40SW

Conclusions and notes

Inspected materials and components are consistent with common building lighting systems and show minimal degradation, implying construction for extended service life.
The primary anomaly is the persistent live conduit and the unknown continuous power source. Further investigation is required.