Abstract: In an electric arc furnace having a fluid-cooled electrode support arm which is provided with an electrode holding means, the outside of the electrode support arm is plated with cooper and the electrode holding means is electrically insulated with respect to the support arm, by way of which the electrode current is carried to a contact jaw that bears against the electrode. In an electric arc furnace with for example three parallel electrode support arms the electrode current is taken partly by way of a heavy-current tube and partly by way of the electrode support arm in order to balance the different reactance in relation to the two other electrode support arms. In order to eliminate reactance asymmetry, a reactance loop is provided in at least one heavy-current conductor between the transformer of the electric arc furnace and the associated electrode support arm.