EXHIBIT 12


                                        THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
                            COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)



                                       January 1,     January 2,        Year Ended December 31,    
                                          1995           1994         1992       1991       1990  
                                                                                
Earnings from continuing operations
   before income taxes                  $    494       $ 59,942   $ 52,983     $55,465    $56,122   

Add:
  Interest on indebtedness                26,852         30,247     33,405      12,752     12,998 
  Amortization of debt expense             1,133          1,062      2,538           0          0 
  Portion of rents representative of
    the interest factor                    7,377          7,011       6,515                 3,816                      3,826 
Deduct:
  Interest capitalized during the period       -              -          -        (376)         - 

  Undistributed earnings from less than
    50 percent owned persons              (1,863)             -          -           -          - 

Earnings as adjusted                    $ 33,993       $ 98,262   $ 95,441     $71,657    $72,946 

Fixed charges:
  Interest on indebtedness                26,852       $ 30,247   $ 33,405     $12,752    $12,998 
  Amortization of debt expense             1,133          1,062      2,538           0          0 
  Portion of rents representative of
    the interest factor                    7,377          7,011      6,515       3,816      3,826 

Total fixed charges                    $  35,362       $ 38,320   $ 42,458     $16,568    $16,824 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges           .96x           2.6x       2.2x        4.3x       4.3x


     The ratio for the year ended January 1, 1995 was .96x, inadequate to cover 
     fixed charges by $1,369.  This is due to a provision for restructured 
     operations of $79,011 provided in the third quarter.