The drive rod for high-
voltage switchgear that is insulated with a
dielectric gas comprises a segment made of an electrically-insulating material and two
metal endpieces fixed to respective ends of the segment, as well as a thermal shield that is made of an electrically-insulating material, that is disposed between the endpieces, and that surrounds the insulating segment while being spaced apart therefrom to define an annular gap serving to be filled with the
dielectric gas. In this way, the insulating segment of the rod is protected against thermal
attack from electric arcs.