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                                                            Exhibit 5.1

                              April 16, 1998



AFC Cable Systems, Inc.
50 Kennedy Plaza, Suite 1250
Providence, Rhode Island  02903

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This opinion is furnished to you in connection with a registration
statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, for the registration of 1,725,000 shares of Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Shares"), of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company").  The Shares are to be sold pursuant to an
Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") to be entered into among
the Company, the Selling Stockholders named in Schedule B to the Underwriting
Agreement (the "Selling Stockholders"), and Tucker Anthony Incorporated, Robert
W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC, as
representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule A to the
Underwriting Agreement.

     We have acted as counsel for the Company and the Selling Stockholders in
connection with the sale by the Company and the Selling Stockholders of the
Shares.  For purposes of our opinion, we have examined and relied upon such
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 General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares have
been duly authorized, (ii) the Shares being sold by the Selling Stockholders
have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and (iii) when
issued and sold by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting
Agreement, the Shares being sold by the Company will have been validly issued
and will be fully paid and non-assessable.


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                                          2

AFC Cable Systems, Inc.                                           April 16, 1998

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as part of the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name therein and in the related prospectus under
the caption "Legal Matters."

     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


