Exhibit 5.1












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                             MOORE & VAN ALLEN, PLLC
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

                        2200 WEST MAIN STREET, SUITE 800  TELEPHONE 919-286-8000
                        DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 27705-4652 FACSIMILE 919-286-8199

                                PLEASE REPLY TO:
                                  P.O. BOX 3843
                        DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 27702-3843

                                   May 6, 1996



Wandel & Goltermann Technologies, Inc.
1030 Swabia Court
Research Triangle Park, NC  27709-3585

         Re:         Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for Wandel & Goltermann Technologies,  Inc., a
North Carolina corporation (the "Company"),  in connection with the registration
under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  on Form S-8 (the  "Registration
Statement")  of an aggregate of 400,000  shares (the  "Shares") of the Company's
common stock,  par value $0.01 per share,  which are reserved for issuance under
the Company's Omnibus Stock Plan (the "Plan").

         As counsel for the Company,  we have examined the proceedings taken and
are familiar with the  proceedings  proposed to be taken in connection  with the
issuance and sale of the Shares under the Plan.  Further, in connection with the
Registration  Statement,  we have  examined  the  originals  or  photocopies  or
certified copies of such records of the Company, certificates of officers of the
Company and public  officials and other documents as we have deemed relevant and
appropriate  as the  basis  for  the  opinion  hereinafter  expressed.  In  such
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity
of all original  documents  submitted to us, the  conformity to the originals of
all  documents  submitted  to us as  certified  copies  or  photocopies  and the
authenticity of the originals of such documents.

         Based  upon such  examination,  and  relying  upon  statements  of fact
contained in the documents  which we have  examined,  we are of the opinion that
the  Shares  have  been  duly  and  validly   authorized  and,  when  issued  as
contemplated by the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby  consent to the filing of this  opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement.

                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                        MOORE & VAN ALLEN, PLLC

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