A stream of carrier gas with powder particles is introduced at the feedingnd (2) of a powder pipe (1) in the direction of arrow (3) for coating workpieces. The material of the coating powder, of the powder pipe (1) and of displacement bodies (21, 22) built in the latter have different dielectric constants. At a certain distance from the outlet end (5) is mounted a charging device (12) provided with boosting electrodes (15) projecting inwardly and connected through a protective resistance (15) to a high-voltage supply (17). A rear counter-electrode (7, 26, 27) comprises an earthed conductive body (7). The displacement bodies (21, 22) accelerate the flow of powder particles. The latter come repeatedly in contact with the inner surface (11) of the powder pipe (1) and the displacement bodies (21, 22) communicating negatively charged particles (10) to them, after charge separation, whereas the positively charged particles (4) remain attached to the powder particles. The concentration of negatively (10) and positively (4) charged particles at opposite ends (2, 5) of the pipe is increased through the electrostatic field acting between the boosting electrodes (13) and the counter-electrode (7, 26, 27). The coating powder is thus so highly charged that an outer electrostatic field between a spraying electrode and the workpiece can be dispensed with.