A contact bar and related techniques allow enhanced electrolytic refining of metals, e.g. avoiding or reducing electrical short circuits. The contact bar is adapted to rest on an insulating capping board for contacting symmetrical electrodes to provide locations for electrical contact therewith. The contact bar includes a central portion laying on the capping board and branch portions extending laterally outward from the central portion, such that the branch portions fit in between seats of the capping board. The contact bar may include a retention member enabling to reduce lateral movement of the electrodes, and may include a plurality of apertures to engage corresponding holding arms of the capping board. There may be a plurality of adjacent similar contact bar segments.