Fourth Generation Locking Mechanism of Auxiliary Electrode for Vacuum Arc Furnace with Self-Consuming Electrode: A Case Study of Tripping Incident

Herein, we addressed the 4^th generation of locking mechanism (a combination of pneumatic and electric locking) of auxiliary electrode via case-study of a tripping incident of our imported 8 t, vacuum arc furnace equipped with self-consuming electrode.The tentative discussions with specific examples centered on: i) the evolution, strengths and weaknesses of the 1^st to 4^th generation locking mechanisms; ii) the operation principle, advantages and structure of the 4 G pressure protection locking mechanism; and iii) the tips on the field operation, maintenance, diagnose and trouble-shooting of the vacuum arc furnace equipped with the 4 G locking mechanism.We suggest that the thought provoking discussions be of some technological interest in application, maintenance, design and upgrading of the 4 G locking mechanism for vacuum arc furnace equipped with self-consuming electrode.