Time bombs typically consisted of small seismic charges set to explode approximately five to ten seconds following their activation. These devices were employed by pilots to internally demolish critical components of capital ships, and by infantry in various sabotage operations. Bothan spies also made use of time bombs. Furthermore, Wookiee smugglers utilized time bombs to eliminate gun posts and light Vehicles. The original creators remain unidentified, although it was rumored that the people of Mon Calamari were the initial inventors.
Certain time bombs were created in an ad-hoc manner. A prime illustration involves TIE/LN starfighters; a minor misalignment of an energizer for their engines would result in the starfighters becoming makeshift time bombs.