Abstract: In an electrostatic precipitator for an electrostatic filter at least one group (11 and/or 12) of electrode or plate elements of like polarity are made of or coated with a semiconducting or dissipative material, and the electrode elements of at least one group (12) include, or are associated with, a screen (16) of an insulating material at the edge thereof which is directed against the stream (A) of air through the precipitator.