The basis taken is a cooling element (1) made of a metal or of a metal alloy having at least one cooling rib (4) which is connected to a metal housing (11) for an operating means. The intention is to provide a cooling element (1) which has an improved cooling capacity. The inventive cooling element (1) is detachably connected to the housing (11) by means of fixing means. The cooling element (1) is provided with a thermally conductive and electrically insulating coating (2), and it has the same electrical potential as the housing (11), but carries no current.