A protective cover for a plasticizing cylinder of a shaping machine has an elongate internal space which is enclosed by at least one wall and in which the plasticizing cylinder can be arranged. A terminal box for heating strips arranged on the plasticizing cylinder projects into the elongate internal space, and the at least one wall has an opening which is closed by an openable cover member. In an opened condition of the openable cover member, the opening allows access to the terminal box or the interior of the terminal box.