CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements 
(Form S-3 Nos. 33-31932, 33-40222, 333-15933, 333-24187, and 333-28415) and 
in the related Prospectuses, and in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 
Nos. 33-31439, 33-33887, 33-34112, 33-34834, 33-44519, 33-58929, 333-04021, 
and 333-17889) pertaining to the 1987 Stock Option Plan of MagneTek, Inc., 
the MagneTek, Inc. FlexCare Plus Retirement Savings Plan, the 1989 Incentive 
Stock Compensation Plan of MagneTek, Inc., the MagneTek Unionized Employee 
Savings Plan, the Amended and Restated 1989 Incentive Stock Compensation Plan 
of MagneTek Inc., the Second Amended and Restated 1989 Incentive Stock 
Compensation Plan of MagneTek, Inc., the MagneTek, Inc. Non-Employee Director 
Stock Option Plan, and the MagneTek, Inc. Deferral Investment Plan, of our 
reports dated August 18, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial 
statements and schedule of MagneTek, Inc. included or incorporated by 
reference in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 1997.

                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
September 25, 1997