
<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-76298) pertaining to the 1993 Equity Incentive Plan and the 1993
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors of AFC Cable Systems, Inc, the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-83420) pertaining to the 401(k) Savings
and Profit Sharing Plans and the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-28313)
pertaining to the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan of AFC Cable Systems, Inc. of our
report dated February 17, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of AFC Cable Systems, Inc. included in the Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997.


                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Providence, Rhode Island
March 27, 1998


