Periodically, the electrode columns (18) are removed from the furnace (12) and move to a position auch that a stub end (54) of the electrode column (18) is placed upon the photographing station (30).

The plug (30) may be inserted into the joint area of a graphite electrode assembly prior to assembly in the electrode column of an electrothermal furnace.

Then the stub end (54) of the electrode column (18) is photographed with a digital camera (62), and digital images are stored in a memory of a computer (68) for subsequent analysis.