Abstract: An AC arc furnace has a plurality of electrodes arranged inside a furnace chamber enclosed by a shell. Each electrode is electrically connected to an electrode power source in series through corresponding auxiliary electromagnetic coils. The electromagnetic coils are arranged around the furnace shell in a pre-defined geometric pattern proximate the corresponding electrodes so that when each of the electrodes receives power from the power source and generates an arc inside the furnace, external magnetic fields are generated by the corresponding series connectedelectromagnetic coils. The external magnetic fields penetrate the shell to control deflection of the arcs caused by internal magnetic fields.