The aim of the invention is to reduce the temperature gradient at the connection terminals of a connection unit to which lines can be joined. The inventive temperature compensation element is made of at least one first strip of thermally conducting material on which terminal lugs are arranged in a row at essentially right angles to the strip and are insulted in relation to each other and the strip. The terminal lugs are connected to the strip in a thermally conductive manner and can be respectively contacted to the lines with corresponding contact terminals of the connection unit.