An electric arc coating is comprised of a chamber with a chamber wall for receiving the substrates to be coated. The chamber can be evacuated and be optionally filled with a reaction gas or an inert gas. The device has at least one cathode connected to a first direct current source positioned within the chamber so as to be electrically insulated. The cathode is consumed by the electric arc. A second direct current source having a higher voltage than the first direct current source is connected with its negative pole to the substrates to be coated and is electrically insulated from the chamber. A first and a second anode are provided whereby the second anode is electrically insulated from the first anode and connected to a third current source. The positive poles of the first and the second current sources are connected to at least the first anode.