Home Arbra Instruments have been specialist manufacturers of shot firing exploders and exploder testing equipment since the early 1940’s. The Arbra trade name “Beethoven” is famous throughout the mining and quarrying industry for quality and reliability. All exploders manufactured by Arbra are used to “fire” electric detonators which are used in series to initiate high explosive charges. The exploders may be used to fire a single detonator (ie. Nonel system) as well as a circuit of detonators connected in series. The exploder provides enough energy to start all the detonators before the circuit is broken by the explosion. Our exploders are available for detonators in the range 0-13amps in several different models. Just when you thought the family was complete, the world-famous Beethoven Exploder has a brother. Used by miners, tunnellers demolition specialists and armies, the Beethoven Exploder has been at the heart of traditional wire-based shot-firing for many decades. Now, employing the latest technology, the Beethoven SparkMaster is set to meet the needs of explosive engineers who prefer shocktube-based systems. Currently in the final stages of extensive field trials, the Beethoven SparkMaster has been designed with the shot-firer in mind. At around 700 gms, the solid-state unit is easily portable and it's robust, highly-visible, red case is designed to take the knocks of site life. The SparkMaster comes with a stout, weather-proof carrying case which includes a pouch for spare 'sparkers'. In inclement conditions, the SparkMaster can be operated without being removed from the carrying case. "Blasting often takes place miles from base so reliability has to be paramount."