Abstract: A method and apparatus for the operation of a filter arrangement for separating exhaust particulates from an exhaust gas stream, in which the exhaust gas stream is guided through ducts (20) of a ceramic body (1), which ducts extend in the longitudinal direction of a ceramic body (1) and are open on either side, and a voltage is applied to electrodes (5, 6) extending parallel to the ducts (20) in the ceramic body for generating an electric field in the ducts (20) of the ceramic body (1), which field is oriented transversally to the axis of the ducts (20), with a charging of the exhaust particulates occurring by means of a further electrode arrangement (29, 30) prior to the introduction of; the exhaust gas stream into the ducts (20) of the ceramic body (1). It is provided for in accordance with the invention that the voltage applied to the electrodes (5, 6) associated with the ceramic body (1) concerns unipolar voltage pulses which have a pulse duration of less then 20 ?s each.