A scanning unit adapted for scanning a measuring graduation of a scale for purposes of position measurement in a measurement direction includes a housing having a detector configured to generate position-dependent scanning signals. An electrical lead passes out through the housing in the measurement direction. A rotatable member, in which the electrical lead is routed, has a first section extending in the measurement direction and a second section extending in a second direction at an angle relative to the measurement direction. The rotatable member is rotatably mounted on the housing about an axis of rotation extending in the measurement direction.