Abstract: Apparatus for the thermal treatment of a metallic melt includes a metallurgical vessel (10) for receiving the melt; a D.C. arc heating device for heating the melt includes at least one electrode (20) positioned above the melt and at least one counterelectrode (22) in contact with the melt; a first element located on the outer jacket of the metallurgical vessel for transferring electrical energy to the counterelectrode; a second element (40) for transferring electrical energy to the first transfer element (30); and a compensation or equalizing element (45, 44) operatively connected to the second transfer element for mechanically positioning the contact plane of the second transfer element in electrical energy conducting relation with the contact plane of the first transfer element.