Self-baking electrode

An apparatus for a self-baking electrode, the electrode comprising at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like to liquid form, and a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones, the apparatus comprising:

• a tube which can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction, runs partly within the cylindrical housing, and passes through the first two zones and ends above the third zone, and
• an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces which runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube, where a first end of the holding element is able to be detachably connected to a fastening element and a second end of the holding element enters the third zone of the electrode and is anchored there.