Abstract: This invention concerns apparatus for selectively connecting an electrode of an electric arc furnace to a source of cooling fluid. The apparatus includes a coupling having passageways extending therethrough for the flow of cooling fluid and comprises at least two separable sections, one such section being connected to receive cooling fluid from the source and the other to convey such cooling fluid to the electrode when coupled to the said one section. Guide means are provided to guide one separable section into close proximity to the other section and to clamp the assembled sections together to connect the electrode to the source of cooling fluid.

Abstract: The invention concerns apparatus for inspecting the flat surfaces of a metal billet and includes a carriage mounted scanning head having a high frequency eddy-current probe (21) mounted on the periphery of a disc (18) rotatable above the billet surface about an axis perpendicular to said surface. The carriage (1) is located in abroad of the rotating scanning head. The eddy-current probe is connected to transmit electrical signals representative of the condition of the billet surface under inspection to signal processing equipment remote from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns the inspection of the corners of a square or rectangular metal billet. The inspection apparatus includes inspection probes (25) supported from a scanning head mounted between entry and exit boxes (13). The two boxes include ram displaceable rollers (4) which are moved into engagement with the other surfaces of the billet as it passes through the apparatus so positively siting the inspection probes above the corners of the billet. The probes are connected to transmit electrical pulses representative of the condition of the billet corners to signal processing equipment remote from the inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A furnace electrode clamp comprises a metallic body portion (3), an electrically insulated U-shaped band (7) mounted for movement about the body and adapted to embrace the electrode (8) and at least one (preferably two) electrode contact piece(s) (13) mounted on the body and against which the electrode is clamped by the band. The or each contact piece is made from highly conductive material and is water-cooled. The small surface over which contact is made enables a high force/unit area to be established at the contact/electrode interface than hitherto and the direct water cooling facility enables higher current densities to be withstood.