Abstract: A device and method for controlling the rapping of at least one collecting electrode plate (30) of an electrostatic precipitator (1) is provided. The device controls such rapping by applying, by means of a power source (32), a voltage between at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and at least one discharge electrode (28). The sparking rate between the at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and at least one discharge electrode (28) is then measured, with the rapping of the at least one collecting electrode plate (30) controlled using the measured present sparking rate.