A vacuum arc remelt furnace system that automatically monitors for
electrode to crucible arcing in a VAR furnace. The vacuum arc remelt
furnace system includes a crucible, an electrode provided within the
crucible, and a spectrometer operatively coupled to the gap between the
electrode and the crucible. The spectrometer detects the presence of one
or more copper-specific light wavelengths in light that is present in the
gap, and preferably generates an alarm and/or shuts the furnace down
depending upon what is detected. Also, a method of operating a vacuum arc
remelt furnace to automatically monitor for electrode top crucible
arcing. The method includes collecting light that is present in the gap
between the crucible and said electrode, and determining whether one or
more copper-specific light wavelengths are present in the light. An alarm
is generated and/or the furnace is shut down depending upon what is
detected.