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                                                                 EXHIBIT 99(vii)
    
 
                                    CONSENT
 
     Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-4, and to the
Joint Proxy Statement/ Prospectus which forms a part thereof (together, the
"Registration Statement"), to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by SPX Corporation in connection with its combination with General
Signal Corporation. In accordance with Rule 438 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the
Registration Statement, and any subsequent amendments thereto, as a person who
is about to become a director of SPX Corporation.
 
   
                                                   /s/ H. KENT BOWEN
    
                                          --------------------------------------
   
                                                      H. Kent Bowen
    
 
   
August 10, 1998
    
