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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000891092-04-004329.txt : 20040902
<SEC-HEADER>0000891092-04-004329.hdr.sgml : 20040902
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040901175904
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000891092-04-004329
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040901
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040902
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040901

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOMAS & BETTS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000097854
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT [3640]
		IRS NUMBER:				221326940
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04682
		FILM NUMBER:		041011973

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8155 T&B BOULEVARD
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38125
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9012525000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8155 T&B BOULEVARD
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38125
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>e18987_8k.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        Date of Report: September 1, 2004
                        (Date of earliest event reported)

                           THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Tennessee                                           1-4682
(State or Other Jurisdiction                         (Commission File Number)
      of Incorporation)

                                   22-1326940
                        (IRS Employer Identification No.)

     8155 T&B Boulevard
     Memphis, Tennessee                                         38125
    (Address of Principal                                    (ZIP Code)
     Executive Offices)

               Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:
                                 (901) 252-8000

<PAGE>

ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

      On September 1, 2004, the Company and T. Kevin Dunnigan extended their
agreement for Mr. Dunnigan to be non-executive Chairman of the Board until
December 31, 2005, on the same terms and conditions as the existing agreement.
The agreement was previously scheduled to expire on December 31, 2004.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

      (c) Exhibits

      99    Press Release dated September 1, 2004.

<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                            Thomas & Betts Corporation
                                            (Registrant)

                                            By: /s/ J. N. Raines
                                                --------------------------------
                                                J. N. Raines
                                                Vice President - General Counsel
                                                and Secretary

Date: September 1, 2004

<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit Index

    Exhibit             Description of Exhibits
    -------             -----------------------

      99         Press Release dated September 1, 2004.


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>e18987ex99.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
                                                                      Exhibit 99

    Thomas & Betts Corporation Extends Board Chairman's Term Through 2005

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thomas & Betts
Corporation (NYSE: TNB) today announced that T. Kevin Dunnigan will remain
non-executive Chairman of the Board for the company until December 31, 2005,
on the same terms and conditions defined in the existing agreement.  The
agreement was previously scheduled to expire on December 31, 2004.
    Dunnigan, 66, has over 40 years experience with Thomas & Betts and served
as the company's chief executive officer from 1985 to 1997 and 2000 to 2004,
its chief operating officer from 1980 to 1985, and in a variety of management
positions from 1974 to 1985.  He has served as Chairman of the Board since
1992.

    Thomas & Betts Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of
connectors and components for electrical and communication markets, engineered
steel structures used primarily for utility transmission, and heating and
ventilation units used in commercial and industrial applications.
Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company reported $1.3 billion in sales in
2003.

SOURCE  Thomas & Betts Corporation
    -0-                             09/01/2004
    /CONTACT:  Tricia Bergeron of Thomas & Betts Corporation, +1-901-252-8266,
or tricia.bergeron@tnb.com /
    /Web site:  http://www.tnb.com /
    (TNB)

CO:  Thomas & Betts Corporation
ST:  Tennessee
IN:  CPR
SU:  PER


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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