Abstract: An arc furnace comprising a furnace vessel having a transverse axis and a central axis, electrodes disposed on a graduated circle, the electrodes projecting into the furnace vessel parallel to the central vertical axis, the electrodes are mounted on an electrode holding device of three supporting columns and three supporting arms, the center is located on the transverse axis at a predetermined distance from the center, the transverse axis being collinear with the middle one of the supporting arms, an electrode is disposed closest to the supporting columns at the intersection of the transverse axis and the graduated circle, and the other electrodes are disposed on the graduated circle an angle .alpha.=<110.degree. with the electrode at the center of the circle.