EXHIBIT 23.1

                     Consent of Independent Public Accountants

To Thermo Electron Corporation:

         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement and related
Prospectus of Thermo Electron Corporation on Form S-4 of our reports dated
February 17, 2000 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 17,
as to which the date is March 7, 2000) included or incorporated by reference
in Thermo Electron Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended January 1, 2000, and to all references to our Firm included in this
Registration Statement and related Prospectus.


                                       /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

                                       Arthur Andersen LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
June 28, 2000