Current-conducting arm for an electric arc furnace

A method for assembling a current-conducting arm for an electric arc furnace comprising the steps of:

• providing an arm housing having a base U-shaped channel member having a first wall and a second wall and a top U-shaped channel member having a first wall and a second wall;
• inverting said top U-shaped channel member;
• positioning said top U-shaped channel member proximate said base channel member such that said first wall of said top U-shaped channel member is proximate said first wall of said base U-shaped channel member and said second wall of said top U-shaped channel member is proximate said second wall of said base U-shaped channel member;
• joining said first wall of said top said top U-shaped channel member with said first wall of said base U-shaped channel member;
• and
• joining said second wall of said top U-shaped channel member with said second wall of said base U-shaped channel member.

A current-conducting arm in an electric arc furnace used to conduct current from at least one cable support conduit to an electrode, said current-conducting arm comprising:

• an arm housing having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the cable support conduit is connected to said proximal end of said arm housing;
• an electrode holder positioned proximate said distal end of said arm housing, said electrode holder surrounding the electrode;
• a spring assembly mounted in said distal end of said arm housing, said spring assembly including at least two springs positioned between a spring casing and a rear plate;
• a hydraulic cylinder mounted proximate said spring assembly within said arm housing;
• and
• a positioning rod traversing said spring assembly to connect said hydraulic cylinder with said electrode holder such that said hydraulic cylinder is able to pull and release said electrode holder using said positioning rod to secure the electrode between said electrode holder and said arm housing.