Abstract: An electrode-position control for arc furnaces includes a hydraulic cylinder-and-piston unit 1 having a cylinder chamber 43 and a piston 1 connectable with an electrode 4 to be moved; a control valve 8; a first pressure conduit 14, 15 which connects the control valve 8 with a source of pressure fluid, and a working conduit 17, 18 which connects the valve 8 with the chamber 43; a pre-selectable two-way valve 5, 6 in each of the conduits 14, 15; 17, 18 a second pressure conduit 34, 33, 17, 42 connecting the chamber 43 directly with the source; and a pre-selectable two-way valve 7 arranged in the second pressure conduit 34, 33, 17, 42 in parallel to the control valve 8, the valve 7 being closed when the valves 5, 6 are open, and vice versa.