A method and system automatically determines when an electrode add event occurs in an electric arc furnace having a plurality of electrode columns, each carried by an electrode positioning system. Data is received correlating to the harmonic distortion of the electrical current output to the plurality of electrode columns. Data is also received correlating to control pressures in the electrode positioning systems. Steady state control pressure data is captured when the harmonic distortion data indicates a steady state condition. An electrode add event is thereafter determined when a pressure spike is identified in the steady state control pressure data.