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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference of our reports dated December 3, 1997, included in this Form 10-K,
into the Powell Industries, Inc. previously filed Form S-8 Registration File No.
33-81998.
 
Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Houston, Texas
January 23, 1998
