Reactors for electric furnace circuits

IN any alternating-current circuit supplying power to an electric arc furnace, the reactance of the circuit is depended upon to stabilize the arc, and to limit the maximum current which will flow through the circuit in case the arc becomes short-circuited, due to the electrodes coming into direct contact with each other or with the furnace charge. The resistance of the buses, electrodes and charge will help to limit the maximum current, but its effect is small in comparison with that of the reactance.