Arrangement for the production of ingots from high-melting metals, particularly steel, by electroslag remelting

An arrangement for the production of ingots from high-melting metals, such as steel, by electroslag-remelting is disclosed. A water-cooled ingot mold including a bottom plate forms the solidifying ingot, the ingot being a solidifying portion and a liquid sump. A self-consuming electrode extends into a layer of molten slag covering the liquid sump. An a.c. source is connected between the plate and self-consuming electrode. The mold is adapted to be raised in a known manner. At least one tubular auxiliary electrode is provided with a plasma-forming gas. A d.c. source is connected to the auxiliary electrode and the bottom plate of the mold, the d.c. source being independent of the a.c. source. Various forms of the auxiliary electrode are described.