Vacuum switch chamber

A vacuum switch chamber includes a ceramic body having two ends, two cylinder halves defining an encompassing parting line between the halves and an internal groove along the parting line. Metal caps close both of the ends. Mutually movable conductor bolts penetrate the ends. Switch contacts are disposed on the conductor bolts at a switch location. A two-part shield surrounds the switch location and has bent, adjoining, axially oriented, intermeshing inner and outer ends engaging the internal groove and spanning the parting line. The outer end has tabs distributed over the periphery of the shield and oriented toward the ceramic body.