In an electric arc furnace corrosion and consumption of the graphite electrodes can be reduced by spraying water on the region above the molten bath. This can be more effectively done by the present application which provides a water ring mounted on the electrode holder and substantially surrounding the electrode having nozzles which direct the spray of water onto the electrode. The water ring has in inlet and an outlet so that there is a constant flow of water in excess of that required to emit a spray from the nozzles thereby providing cooler water and control pressure and avoiding vaporization of the water in the ring and enabling better control of the water spray.
