FIELD: conversion of waste gases of engines. SUBSTANCE: electrically-heated catalytic converter includes separate sections of different axial length and different electric resistance which are located in series in way of flow. Separate heated sections are isolated by cellular section which is cut-off for electric current. In starting the engine, cold exhaust gases flow to electrically-heated section and are subjected to exothermic catalytic conversion on electrically cut-off section. Temperature of gases drops but remains higher than that required for catalytic conversion (300 C) and on next electrically- heated section it rises again to 500 C after which temperature of gases drops to 300 C in forecatalyst. Catalytic conversion of exhaust gases takes place over entire length of converter at change of temperature on separate sections, but at all times, exhaust gas temperature is higher than that required for catalytic conversion. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency. 21 cl, 5 dwg, 1 tbl
