Operational Manual

Graphite electrodes are highly conductive and resistant to high temperature and spallation. However, due to graphite’s brittle characteristic, their flexible strength is limited. They should be handled very cautiously. This manual is intended for your use as a reference.

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Sketch 1

Sketch 2

Sketch 3

Sketch 4

Sketch 5

Storage and Transportation

• Electrodes should be kept in dry and clean place.
• The protecting caps at both ends should be in kept place and undamaged. Operate carefully when carrying by car or crane.
• Use a protective mat when hoisting an electrode to avoid damage. (SKETCH 1)

Joining

1. Remove the protective caps at each end.
    
2. Clean the sockets and nipples with compressed air to get rid of ash and impurities (SKETCH 2, SKETCH 3).
    
3. Carefully screw the hoisting plug in tightly. Keep it in good condition to ensure that the whorls of the electrodes are not damaged.
    
4. Make sure that the electrode and the nipple are in right position before the nipple is screwed in to the socket with a moment clamp or other mechanic tools (SKETCH 4) . Keep the moment clamp in good condition and ensure that it is operated steadily. If you are using a mechanical tool, the manometer should be in a normal state.
    
5. The hanging system should be reliable. The ropes or chains should run smoothly and move freely on all pulleys.

Use of Electrode Holders

There is a white mark at each end that specifies the joining parts of the electrode. The electrode holder should not nip anywhere outside of the white marks as it may damage the internal surface of the socket or cause crackle or nipple shear (SKETCH 5).

Using a steel electrode cover is suggested to prevent the upper part of electrode group from being oxidized by flame coming from the electrode inserting holes. The cover can also prevent the electrode from being polluted by the ash coming from the electrode inserting holes.

In order to avoid joining parts to become loose, a nipple-pin should be placed on the nipple. The pin is in solid state under normal temperature. It melts when the temperature rises, binding the electrode and the nipple together.