Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of electrically conductive continuous material, like wire material, copper wire in particular, is proposed, wherein the treatment is effected during the movement of the continuous material in its direction of extension through the apparatus. The apparatus can be used for heating, annealing or surface cleaning of the continuous material. The apparatus includes contact. means for creating an electrical contact with the moved continuous material and an electrode arrangement arranged with a distance to the continuous material and at least partly encompassing it, wherein in a gas discharge chamber located between the continuous material and the electrode arrangement and filled with a reaction gas an electrical gas discharge can be generated by applying an electrical voltage between the contact means 5 and said electrode arrangement for treatment of the continuous material.