EXHIBIT 23.1




                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated
September 11, 1998, included in Cable Design Technologies Corporation and
Subsidiaries' Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 1998, and to all references
to our Firm included in this Registration Statement.



                                                 ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
    June 8, 1999