<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.0
 
                           PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC COMPANY
 
                                  SUBSIDIARIES
 
The following is a list of the Registrant's wholly owned subsidiaries:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                ORGANIZED
                                SUBSIDIARY                                    UNDER LAWS OF
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                          <C>
Automation Intelligence, Inc. .............................................  Georgia
Bobinas del Sur, S.A. de C.V. .............................................  Mexico
Eduard Bautz GmbH..........................................................  Germany
High Yield Technology, Inc. ...............................................  California
Met One, Inc. .............................................................  California
Pacific Scientific GmbH....................................................  Germany
Pacific Scientific International Holding Inc. .............................  California
Pacific Scientific International Sales Corp. ..............................  Virgin Islands
Pacific Scientific Ltd. ...................................................  United Kingdom
Pacific Scientific S.A.R.L. ...............................................  France
Pacific Scientific Service Corp. ..........................................  California
Royce Thompson Ltd. .......................................................  United Kingdom
Solium Inc. ...............................................................  Massachusetts
Wermex Corporation.........................................................  Texas
</TABLE>
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   2
 
                           PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC COMPANY
 
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
                   FOR FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 1996,
                    DECEMBER 29, 1995 AND DECEMBER 30, 1994
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               BALANCE AT     ADDITIONS
                                               BEGINNING       CHARGED                       BALANCE AT
                 DESCRIPTION                   OF PERIOD      TO EXPENSE     DEDUCTIONS     END OF PERIOD
---------------------------------------------  ----------     ----------     ----------     -------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
INVENTORY RESERVE
  Year ended December 27, 1996...............    $3,445         $6,446*        $4,592          $ 5,299
  Year ended December 29, 1995...............     3,192          1,128            875            3,445
  Year ended December 30, 1994...............     4,114            618          1,540            3,192
 
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
  Year ended December 27, 1996...............    $1,151         $  488         $   24          $ 1,663
  Year ended December 29, 1995...............       942            354            145            1,151
  Year ended December 30, 1994...............       689            328             75              942
</TABLE>
 
---------------
* Includes $4.0 million of restructuring and other charges at Solium.
 
                                       41