This International Standard applies to industrial three-phase direct arc furnaces, the rated capacity of which is equal to, or greater than, 500 kg. The furnaces are suitable both for solid and liquid charges at or near internal atmospheric pressure.
This standard is also applicable to furnaces having one or more electrodes, other than three-phase furnaces, in so far as it applies.
These furnaces are intended for the melting of ferrous metals (for example, steel, cast iron) and non-ferrous metals (for example, copper); they may also be used as holding furnaces for a liquid charge to superheat and maintain the temperature before tapping.
The object of this publication is the standardization of arc furnace test conditions and of methods to determine the main parameters and technical operating characteristics.
NOTE 1 These tests are to be executed independently of the status of compensating equipment.
The scope of this standard does not cover all possible test methods which may be carried out for the technical and economic assessment of arc furnaces.
NOTE 2 Complementary test conditions may be agreed between manufacturer and user.
Tests for some special equipment for d.c. direct arc furnaces such as controlled rectifiers are covered by IEC 60146-1-1.