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                                                               EXHIBIT 23 



                                                                    

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



The Shareholders and Board of Directors
Thomas & Betts Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(No. 33-1403 and No. 33-1404) on Form S-8 and in the Registration Statements
(No. 33-44153 and No. 33-64957) on Form  S-3 of Thomas & Betts Corporation of
our reports dated February 8, 1996, relating to the consolidated balance sheets
of Thomas & Betts Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and
January 1, 1995 and the related consolidated statements of earnings, cash flows
and shareholders' equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1995, and related schedule, which reports appear or are
incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1995 annual report on Form 10-K
of Thomas & Betts Corporation.




KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Memphis, Tennessee
March 22, 1996

                                    EX23-1