The element has a housing, and an overvoltage limiting component i.e. varistor (3), arranged in the housing. Terminal lugs (4, 5) are connected to respective poles of the overvoltage limiting component in an electrically conductive manner. A connecting element (6) electrically connects the protection element to a current path or signal path. The terminal lugs are connected with one another as a single-piece, and a free end of the connecting element turned away from the limiting component is designed as a plug-in contact.
