Exhibit 23.2


                     CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
and related Prospectus of Thermo Electron Corporation of our reports dated
May 18, 2000 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 17, as to
which the date is June 1, 2000) included or incorporated by reference in
Thermo TerraTech Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
April 1, 2000, and to all references to our Firm included in this
Registration Statement and related Prospectus.

                                                    /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
August 9, 2000