EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our report dated December 15, 1994 included in Exide Electronics Group, Inc.'s (the company's) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1994 and our report dated October 18, 1995 included in the company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 20, 1995 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement. /s/ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Raleigh, North Carolina October 20, 1995