A spark projector was a tool carried by military-grade astromech droids during the Clone Wars and the time of the Galactic Empire. They could fire a concentrated bolt of electricity that had the potential to short-circuit electronics and electrocute a human to unconsciousness. It could also be used to unlock binders. Three years before the Battle of Yavin, the astromech droid named "Chopper" used his spark projector to free AP-5 from his restraining bolt, as well as electrocute an Imperial officer to render him unconscious.