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                                                                      EXHIBIT 5

                        [ROPES & GRAY LETTERHEAD]


                                           
                             June 2, 1997




AFC Cable Systems, Inc.
55 Samuel Barnet Boulevard.
New Bedford, MA 02745 

    Re:  AFC Cable Systems, Inc.

Ladies & Gentlemen:

    This opinion is furnished to you in connection with a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the
registration of 400,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Shares"), of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

    We have acted as counsel for the Company and are familiar with the actions
taken by the Company in connection with the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").  For purposes of this opinion we have examined the Plan and such other
documents, records, certificates and other instruments as we have deemed
necessary.

    We express no opinion as to the applicability of compliance with or effect
of Federal law or the law of any jurisdiction other than The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

    Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized and, when the Shares have been issued and sold and consideration
received therefor by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the
Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

    We hereby consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.


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AFC Cable Systems, Inc.                  -2-                        June 2, 1997


    It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection with
the offer and sale of the Shares while the Registration Statement is in effect.

                             Very truly yours,

                             /s/ Ropes & Gray

                             Ropes & Gray
