Electrode configurations for electrolytic cells and related methods

An electrolytic cell for producing aluminum metal, the electrolytic cell comprising at least one anode module having a plurality of anodes and being supported above a corresponding at least one cathode module having a plurality of cathodes, the at least one anode module being supported by a positioning apparatus configured to move inside the cell for selectively positioning the plurality of anodes within the electrolytic cell relative to adjacent cathodes in order to adjust an anode-cathode distance (ACD) and/or an anode-cathode overlap (ACO), wherein the positioning apparatus is connected to at least one bridge oriented perpendicular to endwalls and parallel to sidewalls of said electrolytic cell, the positioning apparatus being configured to raise or lower to the anode module in a vertical direction relative to the cathode module in order to adjust said anode-cathode overlap (ACO), and wherein the anode module is coupled to the bridge via a connector apparatus comprising a first portion in contact with and connected to an upper surface of the anode module, and wherein the connector apparatus is further configured to move along a length of the bridge to allow for selective positioning of the plurality of anodes in a horizontal direction relative to adjacent cathodes.