The operating performance of plant for removal of particulates from gases can be positively influenced by crude gas conditioning and other additive measures. These processes involved introduction of additional material or additional energy into the plant. Set goals are the reduction of particle emissions, reduction of operating costs, adaptation to new boundary conditions, or the opening of new applications for the separators concerned. In the first of three surveys, conditioning by electrical means is considered. An account of the principles of electrically induced agglomeration is followed by a presentation and discussion of the possibilities and consequences of electrical effects applied to filtering separators, inertial separators, and wet separators. Wherever possible, points of practical relevance are also evaluated.