Thomas & Betts (TNB) 10-Q 2003 Q3 Quarterly report

EXHIBIT 12

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

		Nine Months			For Years Ended
		Ended
		Sep. 28,			Dec. 29,			Dec. 30,			Dec. 31,			Jan. 2,			Jan. 3,
		2003			2002			2001			2000			2000			1999
		(In thousands)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		$	26,726		$	(2,210	)	$	(187,039	)	$	(249,388	)	$	67,230		$	68,658
Add:
	Interest on indebtedness		28,614			43,774			47,250			55,191			52,876			44,766
	Amortization of debt expense		1,425			1,542			1,766			907			729			239
	Portion of rents representative of the interest factor		5,814			8,859			10,608			10,026			10,484			8,166
Deduct:
	Undistributed earnings from less-than-50-percent- owned entities		(14	)		160			(90	)		(2,102	)		(22,429	)		(10,665	)
	Earnings (as defined)	$	62,565		$	52,125		$	(127,505	)	$	(185,366	)	$	108,890		$	111,164
Fixed charges:
	Interest on indebtedness		28,614			43,774			47,250			55,191			52,876			44,766
	Amortization of debt expense		1,425			1,542			1,766			907			729			239
	Portion of rents representative of the interest factor		5,814			8,859			10,608			10,026			10,484			8,166
Total fixed charges		$	35,853		$	54,175		$	59,624		$	66,124		$	64,089		$	53,171
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			1.7	x		1.0	x(a)		—	(b)		—	(c)		1.7	x		2.1	x

(a)	Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 29, 2002 by $2,050.
(b)	Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 30, 2001 by $187,129.
(c)	Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2000 by $251,490.