Abstract: A current-conducting arm for conducting a current from at least one cable supports to an electrode in an electric arc furnace comprising an arm housing having a U-shaped base channel member and a U-shaped top channel member. Both channel members have a first and second wall, with the top channel member being inverted such that the first wall of the top channel member can be joined with the first wall of the base channel member, and the second wall of the top channel member can be joined with the second wall of the base channel member. The arm housing therefore has four annular corners to improve the conduction of current through the arm housing to the electrode. The invention further includes a spring assembly used to provide to aid an electrode holder in clamping the electrode. Moreover, a laser pointer is included for guiding the positioning of the arm housing in the electric arc furnace.

Abstract: An electrode holder assembly for a cylindrical electric arc melting furnace permits reduction of the electrode pitch circle diameter spacing the electrodes farther from the refractory lining reducing refractory wear and lengthening cycles between relining. The assembly also permits more power to be introduced while reducing overall reactance, both resulting in a more efficient furnace. The arrangement also provides reduced melting time in turn resulting in more furnace capacity, thus reducing electrode consumption per ton of molten metal. The arrangement is achieved by an improved simplified and compact differential clamp mounted inboard of a relatively thin U-shape clamp enabling the distal ends of the two outer arms of the three mast arms employed to be angled toward each other and the center mast arm to reduce the diameter of the electrode pitch circle.