Document:

Exhibit 10.1

                                   CULP, INC.

                                OPTION AGREEMENT
                                ----------------

         Notice is hereby given of the following  option grant (the "Option") to
purchase shares of Common Stock of Culp, Inc. (the "Company") to the undersigned
individual.  Capitalized  terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have
the same  meanings  given them in the Culp,  Inc.  2002 Stock  Option  Plan (the
"Plan"). The terms of the Option are as follows:

         Optionee:

         Option Grant Date:

         Vesting Commencement Date:

         Exercise Price: $( )

         Number of Option Shares:

         Option Expiration Date:

         Type of Option:

         Vesting Schedule:

         Option Subject to Plan. The Optionee  acknowledges and agrees that this
Option  is  subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  Plan,  which  are
incorporated  herein by reference.  The Optionee hereby  acknowledges that he or
she has previously been provided with a copy of the Plan.

         Exercise of Option.  This Option  shall be  exercisable  in one or more
installments  in  accordance  with the Vesting  Schedule set forth above and the
Plan.  This Option must be exercised by signing and delivering to the Company an
Option Exercise Form, a copy of which may be obtained from the Company.

         TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. THE OPTIONEE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
THIS OPTION IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS SPECIFIED IN THE PLAN.

         Additional Terms Applicable to an Incentive  Option.  If this Option is
designated as an Incentive  Option above,  the  following  terms and  conditions
shall apply:

         (a)  During  the  lifetime  of  the  Optionee,  this  Option  shall  be
exercisable  only by the Optionee and shall not be  assignable  or  transferable
other  than by will or by the laws of descent  and  distribution  following  the
Optionee's death.

         (b) This Option shall cease to qualify for  favorable  tax treatment as
an Incentive  Option if (and to the extent) this Option is exercised  for one or
more Option Shares more than three months after the date the Optionee  ceases to
be an Employee for any reason other than death or Permanent  Disability  or more
than twelve (12) months after the date the Optionee  ceases to be an Employee by
reason of death or Permanent Disability.

<PAGE>

         (c) No  installment  under this Option shall  qualify for favorable tax
treatment  as an  Incentive  Option if (and to the  extent) the  aggregate  Fair
Market Value  (determined as of the date of grant) of the Common Stock for which
such installment  first becomes  exercisable  hereunder would, when added to the
aggregate value  (determined as of the respective dates of grant) of any earlier
installments of the Common Stock and any other  securities for which this Option
or any other  Incentive  Options  granted to the  Optionee  prior to the date of
grant  (whether under the Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary) first become  exercisable  during the same calendar year, exceed One
Hundred  Thousand Dollars  ($100,000) in the aggregate.  Should such One Hundred
Thousand  Dollar  ($100,000)  limitation be exceeded in any calendar year,  this
Option  shall  nevertheless  become  exercisable  for the excess  shares in such
calendar year as a Non-Qualified Option.

         (d) Should the exercisability of this Option be accelerated,  then this
Option shall qualify for favorable tax treatment as an Incentive  Option only to
the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value  (determined as of the date of grant)
of the Common  Stock for which this  Option  first  becomes  exercisable  in the
calendar  year in which the  acceleration  occurs  does not,  when  added to the
aggregate value  (determined as of the respective  dates of grant) of the Common
Stock or other  securities for which this Option or one or more other  Incentive
Options  granted to the Optionee  prior to the date of grant  (whether under the
Plan or any other Option plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary)  first
become  exercisable  during the same calendar year,  exceed One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate.  Should the applicable One Hundred Thousand
Dollar  ($100,000)   limitation  be  exceeded  in  the  calendar  year  of  such
acceleration,  the Option may nevertheless be exercised for the excess shares in
such calendar year as a Non-Qualified Option.

         (e) Should the Optionee  hold, in addition to this Option,  one or more
other Options to purchase  Common Stock which become  exercisable  for the first
time in the same calendar year as this Option, then the foregoing limitations on
the  exercisability of such Options as Incentive Options shall be applied on the
basis of the order in which such Options are granted.

         No  Employment  or Service  Contract.  Nothing in this Notice or in the
Plan shall  confer  upon the  Optionee  any right to continue in Service for any
period of specific  duration or interfere with or otherwise  restrict in any way
the rights of the Company (or any Parent or  Subsidiary  employing  or retaining
the Optionee) or of the Optionee to terminate the Optionee's Service at any time
for any reason, with or without cause.

DATED:

                                       CULP, INC.

                                       By:
                                                --------------------------------

                                       OPTIONEE

                                                --------------------------------Exhibit 10.3

                           THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION

                            EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

                As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005

            (Including amendments adopted through September 5, 2007)

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

INTRODUCTION...................................................................1

ARTICLE 1.   DEFINITIONS.......................................................1
    1.01     "Actuarial Equivalent"............................................1
    1.02     "Affiliated Company"..............................................1
    1.03     "Average Monthly Compensation" ...................................1
    1.04     "Beneficiary".....................................................2
    1.05     "Benefit".........................................................2
    1.06     "Board of Directors"..............................................2
    1.07     "Code"............................................................2
    1.08     "Committee".......................................................2
    1.09     "Company".........................................................2
    1.10     "Compensation"....................................................2
    1.11     "Credited Service"................................................2
    1.12     "Early Retirement Date"...........................................3
    1.13     "Effective Date"..................................................3
    1.14     "Eligible Employee"...............................................3
    1.15     "Grandfathered Benefit"...........................................3
    1.16     "Normal Retirement Date"..........................................3
    1.17     "Plan"............................................................3
    1.18     "Retiree".........................................................3
    1.19     "Retirement Plan".................................................3
    1.20     "Section 409A Benefit"............................................3
    1.21     "Separation from Service".........................................3
    1.22     "10-Year Certain and Life Annuity"................................4

ARTICLE 2.   AMOUNT AND PAYMENT OF BENEFITS....................................4
    2.01     Payment of Benefit................................................4
    2.02     Amount of Normal Retirement Benefit...............................4
    2.03     Amount of Early Retirement Benefits...............................5
    2.04     Form and Time of Payment for a Grandfathered Benefit..............5
    2.05     Form and Time of Payment for Section 409A Benefit - Termination
             On Or After Early Retirement Date.................................6
    2.06     Termination Prior to Early Retirement Date........................7
    2.07     Pre-Retirement Death Benefit......................................8
    2.08     Restoration of Service............................................8
    2.09     Designation of Beneficiary........................................8
    2.10     Receipt of Single-Sum Payment.....................................9

ARTICLE 3.   GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................9
    3.01     Administration....................................................9
    3.02     Funding...........................................................9
    3.03     No Contract of Employment.........................................9
    3.04     Competency.......................................................10
    3.05     Withholding Taxes................................................10

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (continued)

    3.06     Nonalienation....................................................10
    3.07     Forfeiture for Cause.............................................10
    3.08     Mergers/Transfers................................................11
    3.09     Change of Control................................................11
    3.10     Calculations.....................................................11
    3.11     Elections........................................................12
    3.12     Acceleration of Payment..........................................12
    3.13     Construction.....................................................12
    3.14     Insurance Products...............................................13
    3.15     Nature of Obligation.............................................13
    3.16     Legal Fees.......................................................13
    3.17     Tax Gross-Up.....................................................13

ARTICLE 4.   AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, OR PARTICIPANT REMOVAL...................15

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

                           THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION

                            EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

                As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005

                                  INTRODUCTION
                                  ------------

Thomas & Betts Corporation (the "Company") has adopted and maintained this
Executive Retirement Plan ("Plan"), originally effective as of September 2,
1992, and as subsequently amended on December 16, 1993, February 5, 1997, June
4, 1997, December 1, 1999, June 7, 2000, December 5, 2000, September 3, 2003 and
February 4, 2004, to provide additional retirement income and death benefit
protection to certain officers of the Company in recognition of their
contribution to the Company in carrying out senior management responsibilities.
The Company now desires to amend the Plan further in order to comply with
section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The terms and
conditions of participation and benefits under this Plan, as amended, are set
out in this document.

All benefits payable under this Plan, which is intended to constitute a
non-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan for a select group of
management employees under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), shall be paid out of the general assets of
the Company.

                             ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
                             ----------------------

1.01      "Actuarial Equivalent" shall mean the equivalent value when computed
          based on the UP-84 Mortality Table and an interest rate equal to 100
          percent of the interest rate which would be used by the Pension
          Benefit Guaranty Corporation (under the pre-November 1, 1993
          methodology) for valuing immediate annuities for single employer plans
          that terminate on the first day of the month in which the Eligible
          Employee's Benefit payments commence (the "PBGC Interest Rate").

1.02      "Affiliated Company" shall mean any company not participating in the
          Plan which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as
          defined in Section 414(b) of the Code) which also includes as a member
          the Company; any trade or business under common control (as defined in
          Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company; any organization
          (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of an affiliated
          service group (as defined in Section 414(m) of the Code) which
          includes the Company; and any other entity required to be aggregated
          with the Company pursuant to regulations under Section 414(o) of the
          Code.

1.03      "Average Monthly Compensation" shall mean the average monthly
          Compensation of an Eligible Employee during any sixty (60) consecutive
          months during his employment with the Company or an Affiliated Company
          affording the highest such average. For purposes of determining
          Average Monthly Compensation, noncontiguous months of employment
          interrupted by periods of fewer than twelve (12) months in which the
          Employee is not employed shall be treated as consecutive. If the
          Eligible Employee has fewer than 60 consecutive full months of
          employment, Average Monthly Compensation shall mean the monthly
          average for all full months of employment completed by such Eligible
          Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Eligible Employee has
          noncontiguous periods of employment and his most recent period of
          employment commenced at least twelve (12) full calendar months after
          the last day of his immediate prior period of employment, his Average
          Monthly Compensation shall be determined solely on the basis of his
          most recent period of employment.

<PAGE>

1.04      "Beneficiary" shall mean the person or persons designated by an
          Eligible Employee as beneficiary in a time and manner determined by
          the Committee. If the Eligible Employee fails to designate a
          Beneficiary or if the Beneficiary predeceases the Eligible Employee,
          the Eligible Employee's spouse shall be the Beneficiary or if no
          spouse survives the Eligible Employee, the Eligible Employee's estate
          shall be the Beneficiary. An Eligible Employee may change his
          designated Beneficiary in a time and manner determined by the
          Committee.

1.05      "Benefit" shall mean the amounts payable under Article 2 of this Plan
          including the Grandfathered Benefit and the Section 409A Benefit.

1.06      "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of Thomas &
          Betts Corporation.

1.07      "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
          time to time.

1.08      "Committee" shall mean the Company's Compensation Committee of the
          Board of Directors, any successor or substitute committee thereto, or,
          during any period of time when no such committee is in existence, the
          Company's entire Board of Directors.

1.09      "Company" shall mean the Thomas & Betts Corporation or any successor
          by merger, purchase or otherwise, with respect to its employees and
          such Affiliated Companies authorized by the Board of Directors, on
          such terms and conditions as the Board may determine, to participate
          in the Plan.

1.10      "Compensation" shall mean the base cash compensation paid to an
          Eligible Employee in respect of each month for services rendered to
          the Company by such Eligible Employee, plus the amount paid pursuant
          to the provisions of the Executive Incentive Plan and the Management
          Incentive Plan or such substitute or similar plans, determined prior
          to any pre-tax contributions under a "qualified cash or deferred
          arrangement" (as defined under Section 401(k) of the Code and its
          applicable regulations) or under a "cafeteria plan" (as defined under
          Section 125 of the Code and its applicable regulations) and prior to
          any amount which an Eligible Employee has elected to defer under the
          Thomas & Betts Supplemental Executive Investment Plan.

1.11      "Credited Service" shall mean with respect to an Eligible Employee
          service determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.9 (or any
          successor thereto) of the Retirement Plan. If an Eligible Employee,
          who either has received a lump sum distribution from the Plan or is
          receiving a monthly payment from the Plan is subsequently rehired and
          resumes participation in the plan, his Credited Service attributable
          to his employment prior to his rehire shall be disregarded in
          determining the amount of his Benefit which accrues subsequent to his
          rehire. His Credited Service attributable to employment both before
          and after his rehire shall, however, be taken into account in
          determining whether he has satisfied the service eligibility
          requirements for a Benefit under the Plan. Notwithstanding the
          foregoing, an Eligible Employee may, subject to the approval by the
          Committee, be granted additional months or years of age or of Credited
          Service for purposes of determining the amount of Benefit under the
          Plan or for purposes of satisfying the service eligibility
          requirements necessary for a Benefit under the Plan or both. The
          number of months or years of age or of Credited Service so granted, if
          any, shall be set forth in Appendix A.

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

1.12      "Early Retirement Date" shall mean the first day of the calendar month
          following an Eligible Employee's 55th birthday, or the Eligible
          Employee's 50th birthday if such Eligible Employee commenced
          employment with the Company prior to December 1, 1997. For purposes of
          determining whether employment commenced prior to December 1, 1997,
          "Company" shall not include Augat Inc. or any Affiliated Company which
          became authorized to participate in this Plan after November 30, 1997.

1.13      "Effective Date" shall mean September 2, 1992, for the Plan as
          originally effective, and January 1, 2005 for the Plan as amended and
          restated herein.

1.14      "Eligible Employee" shall mean an employee who occupies a position of
          senior management with the Company who has been approved by the
          Committee and who is listed on Appendix A, as amended from time to
          time by the Committee.

1.15      "Grandfathered Benefit" shall mean that portion of the Benefit under
          the Plan as in effect on October 3, 2004 which was earned and vested
          (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. ss.1.409A-6(a) or any successor
          thereto) as of December 31, 2004.

1.16      "Normal Retirement Date" shall mean the first day of the calendar
          month following an Eligible Employee's 65th birthday.

1.17      "Plan" shall mean the Thomas & Betts Corporation Executive Retirement
          Plan, as amended from time to time.

1.18      "Retiree" shall mean an Eligible Employee who (i) has completed five
          or more years of Credited Service, (ii) has reached either his Early
          Retirement Date or his Normal Retirement Date, and (iii) either
          voluntarily or upon the Company's request or demand terminates
          employment with the Company and all Affiliated Companies, or with
          respect to any Section 409A Benefit, has a Separation from Service.

1.19      "Retirement Plan" shall mean Part A of the Thomas & Betts Pension
          Plan, as amended from time to time.

1.20      "Section 409A Benefit" shall mean that portion of the Benefit under
          this Plan in excess of the Grandfathered Benefit.

1.21      "Separation from Service" shall mean an Eligible Employee's
          termination of employment within the meaning of Treas. Reg.
          ss.1.409A-1(h) or any successor thereto.

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

1.22      "10-Year Certain and Life Annuity" shall mean an annuity which
          provides monthly payments to the Retiree for his lifetime with a
          guaranteed minimum of one hundred twenty (120) monthly payments, and
          if the Retiree dies prior to receiving the full one hundred twenty
          (120) monthly payments, the remainder of the guaranteed payments shall
          be commuted and paid in one lump sum to the Beneficiary in full
          discharge of the obligation of the Plan.

                   ARTICLE 2. AMOUNT AND PAYMENT OF BENEFITS
                   -----------------------------------------

2.01      Payment of Benefit

          Except as otherwise provided, a Benefit shall be payable by the
          Company only with respect to an Eligible Employee who becomes a
          Retiree, subject to the provisions of Section 3.07. Such Benefit shall
          be payable from the general assets of the Company.

2.02      Amount of Normal Retirement Benefit

          The monthly amount of the Benefit payable in the form of a 10-Year
          Certain and Life Annuity on or after an Eligible Employee's Normal
          Retirement Date shall be equal to:

          (a)  2.5 percent of the Eligible Employee's Average Monthly
               Compensation multiplied by the first 20 years of his Credited
               Service plus 1.5 percent of the Eligible Employee's Average
               Monthly Compensation multiplied by the next 15 years of his
               Credited Service

                                      minus

          (b)  The sum of (i) and (ii) where

               (i)  equals the monthly amount of benefit which is or would be
                    payable to the Eligible Employee pursuant to the provisions
                    of the Retirement Plan, assuming such benefit commenced at
                    the same time as the commencement of his Plan Benefit, in
                    the form of a 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity, as described
                    in Section 2.04(a)(i) (an Eligible Employee who is unmarried
                    at the time the Benefit is determined shall be deemed, for
                    purposes of the Plan, to have a survivor annuitant born on
                    the same date as the Eligible Employee), and

               (ii) equals the monthly amount of benefit payable under a prior
                    employer's retirement program as set forth in Appendix A.

               The Committee shall determine, in good faith, the appropriate
               amount of offset under Section 2.02(b)(ii) to be used in
               calculating any Benefit under this Plan (including, without
               limitation, converting such monthly benefit under Section
               2.02(b)(ii) to an appropriate benefit form) and each Eligible
               Employee shall cooperate with the Committee by providing any
               information (certifiable or otherwise) necessary to make such
               determination.

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

2.03      Amount of Early Retirement Benefits

          (a)  Unless the provisions of Section 2.03(b) below are applicable,
               the Benefit payable to a Retiree whose employment terminates for
               any reason prior to his Normal Retirement Date shall be equal to
               the Benefit determined under the provisions of Section 2.02 on
               the basis of his Average Monthly Compensation and Credited
               Service on the date of his termination of employment; provided,
               however, the portion of his Benefit determined under the
               provisions of Section 2.02(a) shall be reduced by 3.6% for each
               year and 1/12 of 3.6% for each month of a fractional year by
               which the date the Retiree's Benefit begins precedes the 60th
               anniversary of his birth.

          (b)  An Eligible Employee who has completed at least five years of
               Credited Service and who terminates employment at the Company's
               request prior to his Normal Retirement Date shall, subject to the
               approval of the Committee and the provisions of Section 3.07,
               receive a special early Benefit. The special early Benefit shall
               solely be at the discretion of the Committee and may reflect
               (without limitation) the grant of additional months or years of
               Credited Service and/or age.

2.04      Form and Time of Payment for a Grandfathered Benefit

          (a)  The automatic form of payment under this Plan deemed to have been
               elected with respect to a Grandfathered Benefit by a Retiree at
               the time he became an Eligible Employee shall be a 10-Year
               Certain and Life Annuity unless the Retiree elected one of the
               following optional forms of payment at the time he became an
               Eligible Employee.

               (i)  Payment in the form of a 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity of
                    Actuarial Equivalent value to the Grandfathered Benefit
                    otherwise payable under Section 2.04(a) above, providing for
                    a reduced monthly benefit during his lifetime with 100% of
                    such reduced monthly benefit continuing to his surviving
                    spouse to whom he was married on the date his Grandfathered
                    Benefit payments commenced for the remainder of such
                    spouse's lifetime. If the Retiree and the spouse to whom he
                    was married on the date his Grandfathered Benefit payments
                    commenced die before receiving one hundred twenty (120)
                    monthly payments, the remainder of the one hundred twenty
                    (120) guaranteed payments will be commuted and paid in one
                    lump sum to the named beneficiary of the last surviving
                    annuitant in full discharge of the obligation of the Plan
                    with respect to the Grandfathered Benefit. This optional
                    form of benefit shall become effective on the first day of
                    the month for which the Retiree's Grandfathered Benefit is
                    first payable. If the Retiree's spouse dies before the first
                    day of the month for which the Retiree's Grandfathered
                    Benefit is first payable, this optional form of payment
                    shall be revoked and payments shall be made as a 10-Year
                    Certain and Life Annuity.

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

               (ii) In one single payment to him (or his Beneficiary if he dies
                    prior to payment under paragraph (b) below) of the Actuarial
                    Equivalent value of the Grandfathered Benefit otherwise
                    payable under Section 2.04(a) above. Notwithstanding the
                    foregoing or any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the
                    lump sum factor to be used in determining the present value
                    of the Grandfathered Benefit of a Retiree who terminates
                    employment after his Normal Retirement Date shall be the
                    same lump sum factor as would be used with respect to an age
                    65 Retiree receiving a lump sum payment of his Grandfathered
                    Benefit as of the same date.

          (b)  Payments shall commence as of the first day of the month
               following the Eligible Employee becoming a Retiree or as soon as
               administratively practicable thereafter.

          (c)  Any Eligible Employee may change his payment form election with
               respect to his Grandfathered Benefit by making a new payment form
               election at any time; provided, however, that no such election
               shall be effective unless it shall have been made and submitted
               to the Committee prior to the last day of the calendar year prior
               to the calendar year in which the Eligible Employee terminates
               employment with the Company and each Affiliated Company.

2.05      Form and Time of Payment for Section 409A Benefit - Termination On Or
          After Early Retirement Date

          (a)  All elections by an Eligible Employee under this Section 2.05
               shall apply to his Section 409A Benefits hereunder and his
               benefits accrued under the Thomas & Betts Pension Restoration
               Plan which, in both cases, are payable upon a Separation from
               Service on or after such Eligible Employee's Early Retirement
               Date (jointly referred to under this Section 2.05 as "Aggregate
               Section 409A Benefits").

          (b)  Unless the Eligible Employee has made an effective election with
               respect to Aggregate Section 409A Benefits as provided below, for
               payments which commence after 2004 and prior to 2008, the form of
               payment election made with respect to Benefits prior to 2005
               shall apply to such Aggregate Section 409A Benefits, provided,
               however, that the Aggregate Section 409A Benefits shall commence
               on the first business day of the month following the six-month
               anniversary of the Eligible Employee's Separation from Service as
               a Retiree. In the absence of a prior affirmative election by the
               Eligible Employee, the Aggregate Section 409A Benefits shall be
               paid in one single payment on the first business day of the month
               following the six-month anniversary of the Eligible Employee's
               Separation from Service as a Retiree. The portion of the single
               payment attributable to Section 409A Benefits shall be equal to
               the Actuarial Equivalent Value of the Section 409A Benefit
               otherwise payable to the Eligible Employee in the form of a
               10-Year Certain and Life Annuity. The lump sum factor shall be
               the same as in Section 2.04(a)(ii) above.

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

          (c)  Effective January 1, 2008, unless the Eligible Employee has made
               an effective election under Section 2.05(d) or (e) below, the
               Eligible Employee's Aggregate Section 409A Benefit shall be paid
               in one single payment on the first business day of the month
               following the six-month anniversary of the Eligible Employee's
               Separation from Service as a Retiree. The portion of the single
               payment attributable to Section 409A Benefits shall be equal to
               the Actuarial Equivalent Value of the Section 409A Benefit
               otherwise payable to the Eligible Employee in the form of a
               10-Year Certain and Life Annuity. The lump sum factor shall be
               the same as in Section 2.04(a)(ii) above.

          (d)  An Eligible Employee may elect during 2005, 2006 and 2007, to
               have his Aggregate Section 409A Benefit paid in the form of a
               10-Year Certain and Life Annuity or a 100% Joint and Survivor
               Annuity in lieu of the lump sum payment or may change a prior
               election of an annuity form of payment to a lump sum payment but
               such election shall be effective only for a Separation from
               Service after the year of the election and shall commence to be
               paid on the first business day of the month following the
               six-month anniversary of the Eligible Employee's Separation from
               Service as a Retiree.

          (e)  An Eligible Employee may make an election after 2007 to change
               the form of payment as set forth in 2.05(c) or as elected under
               2.05(d) with respect to the Aggregate Section 409A Benefit,
               provided that any such election shall be effective only after
               twelve months from the date of the election and must be made at
               least twelve months prior to the date payment would otherwise
               have been made or have commenced to be made. In the event of such
               election, payment shall be made or commence to be made on the
               first business day of the month following the five-year
               anniversary of the date specified as the payment date in Section
               2.05(b) above. Only one such election shall be permitted except
               as otherwise provided in Section 2.05(f).

          (f)  An Eligible Employee who has elected an annuity form may elect
               the other annuity form (provided such form is actuarially
               equivalent to such prior elected annuity form) with respect to
               the Aggregate Section 409A Benefit at any time without regard to
               the 12-month and 5-year rules.

          (g)  All elections under this Section 2.05 shall be irrevocable upon
               delivery of such election to the Committee or its designee. All
               benefits subject to such election and payable as a result of the
               Employee's Separation from Service shall be paid or commence to
               be paid at the time and in the form elected by the Eligible
               Employee to such Employee or in the event of such Employee's
               death prior to commencement, to the designated beneficiary or
               joint annuitant.

2.06      Termination Prior to Early Retirement Date

          Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee in its
          sole discretion may elect to pay a Benefit in one single payment that
          is the Actuarial Equivalent value of the Benefit accrued by an
          Eligible Employee who Separates from Service after completing five or
          more years of Credited Service but prior to reaching his Early
          Retirement Date. Payment shall be made on the first business day of
          the month following the six-month anniversary of such Separation from
          Service.

                                      - 7 -
<PAGE>

2.07      Pre-Retirement Death Benefit

          If an Eligible Employee dies prior to his termination of employment
          or, with respect to a Section 409A Benefit, prior to his Separation
          from Service and after he has completed five or more years of Credited
          Service with the Company, a spouse's benefit shall be payable to his
          surviving spouse. Such spouse's benefit shall be a lump sum payment
          which is the Actuarial Equivalent value of the amount of monthly
          benefit the spouse would have received if the benefit which the
          Eligible Employee would have received under Section 2.02 of this Plan,
          reduced pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.03(a) of this Plan,
          had commenced on the later of the month following (A) the Eligible
          Employee's date of death or (B) the Eligible Employee's Early
          Retirement Date, in the form of a 100% Joint and Survivor Annuity and
          the Eligible Employee had died immediately thereafter. Such spouse's
          Grandfathered Benefit shall be paid as soon as practicable following
          such Eligible Employee's date of death and the Section 409A Benefit
          shall be paid on the last business day of the first month following
          the month in which death occurs. For purposes of this Section 2.07,
          "Company" shall not include Augat Inc. or any other Affiliated Company
          which became authorized to participate in this Plan after November 30,
          1997.

2.08      Restoration of Service

          If an Eligible Employee who retired or otherwise terminated employment
          is restored to employment with the Company or an Affiliated Company,
          the Grandfathered Benefit shall be suspended and upon a subsequent
          termination of employment with the Company and all Affiliated
          Companies shall resume in the same amount and in the same form. The
          Section 409A Benefit accrued prior to the Eligible Employee's
          reemployment shall continue to be paid if in pay status or shall be
          paid or commence to be paid at the time specified under Section 2.05
          without regard to such reemployment. The Eligible Employee shall be
          entitled to an additional Section 409A Benefit calculated under
          Section 2.02, taking into account only his Credited Service subsequent
          to his rehire date, and the provisions of Section 2.05 shall apply
          with respect to the form and time of payment of this additional
          Section 409A Benefit.

2.09      Designation of Beneficiary

          Each Eligible Employee shall file a written designation of Beneficiary
          with the Committee upon qualifying for participation hereunder. Such
          designation shall remain in force until revoked by the Eligible
          Employee by filing a new beneficiary form with the Committee.

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

2.10      Receipt of Single-Sum Payment

          If any Retiree has received a single sum payment, such Retiree's
          Beneficiary shall have no further interest in the Plan or any benefit
          payable thereunder.

                         ARTICLE 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS
                         -----------------------------

3.01      Administration

          The administration of the Plan, the exclusive power to interpret it,
          and the responsibility for carrying out its provisions are vested in
          the Committee. The Committee shall have full discretionary authority
          to interpret the Plan and resolve all matters arising in connection
          with the Plan. The Committee may adopt procedural rules and may employ
          and rely on such legal counsel, actuaries, accountants and agents as
          it may deem advisable to assist in the administration of the Plan.
          Decisions of the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on all
          persons. The expenses of the Committee attributable to the
          administration of this Plan shall be paid directly by the Company.

3.02      Funding

          (a)  All amounts payable in accordance with this Plan shall constitute
               a general unsecured obligation of the Company. Such amounts, as
               well as any administrative costs relating to the Plan, shall be
               paid out of the general assets of the Company, unless the
               provisions of paragraph (b) below are applicable.

          (b)  The Board of Directors may, for administrative reasons, establish
               a grantor trust for the benefit of Eligible Employees in the
               Plan. The assets of said trust will be held separate and apart
               from other Company funds and shall be used exclusively for the
               purposes set forth in the Plan and the applicable trust
               agreement, subject to the following conditions:

               (i)   the creation of said trust shall not cause the Plan to be
                     other than "unfunded" for purposes of Title I of ERISA;

               (ii)  the Company shall be treated as the "grantor" of said trust
                     for purposes of Section 671 and 677 of the Internal Revenue
                     Code; and

               (iii) said trust agreement shall provide that its assets may be
                     used to satisfy claims of the Company's general creditors,
                     provided that the rights of such general creditors are
                     enforceable under federal and state law.

3.03      No Contract of Employment

          The establishment of the Plan shall not be construed as conferring any
          legal right upon any person for a continuation of employment, nor
          shall it interfere with the right of the Company to discharge any
          employee.

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

3.04      Competency

          If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is or
          was payable hereunder is unable to care for his affairs because of
          illness or accident, or has died, then the Company, if it so elects,
          may direct that any payment due him or his estate (unless a prior
          claim therefore has been made by a duly appointed legal
          representative) or any part thereof be paid or applied for the benefit
          of such person or for the benefit of his spouse, children or other
          dependents, an institution maintaining or having custody of such
          person, any other person deemed by the Committee to be a proper
          recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment, or
          any of them, in such manner and proportion as the Company may deem
          proper, provided, however, that any Section 409A Benefit shall be paid
          at the same time and in the same form as payment would have been made
          to the Eligible Employee. Any such payment shall be in complete
          discharge of the liability of the Company therefor.

3.05      Withholding Taxes

          The Company shall have the right to deduct from each payment to be
          made under the Plan any required withholding taxes.

3.06      Nonalienation

          Except insofar as may otherwise be required by law, no amount payable
          at any time under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to
          alienation by anticipation, sale, transfer, assignment, bankruptcy,
          pledge, attachment, charge or encumbrance of any kind nor in any
          manner be subject to the debts or liabilities of any person and any
          attempt to so alienate or subject any such amount, whether presently
          or thereafter payable, shall be void. With respect to the
          Grandfathered Benefit only, if any person shall attempt to, or shall
          alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, attach, charge or otherwise
          encumber any amount payable under the Plan, or any part thereof, or if
          by reason of his bankruptcy or other event happening at any such time
          such amount would be made subject to his debts or liabilities or would
          otherwise not be enjoyed by him, then the Committee, if it so elects,
          may direct that the Grandfathered Benefit be withheld and that the
          same or any part thereof be paid or applied to or for the benefit of
          such person, his spouse, children or other dependents, or any of them,
          in such manner and proportion as the Committee may deem proper.

3.07      Forfeiture for Cause

          In the event that an Eligible Employee or Retiree shall at any time be
          convicted for a crime involving dishonesty or fraud on the part of
          such Eligible Employee or Retiree in his relationship with the Company
          or an Affiliated Company, all benefits that would otherwise be payable
          to him under the Plan shall be forfeited. If a Retiree shall at any
          time be under indictment for any such crime, any Grandfathered Benefit
          amounts payable to such Retiree shall be suspended pending conviction,
          dismissal or acquittal in respect thereof. If the Retiree is not
          convicted, the suspended amounts shall be paid to him (with simple
          interest accruing at the PBGC Interest Rate) within thirty days after
          the date of the dismissal or acquittal. For this purpose, any
          so-called Alford plea or plea of nolo contendere shall be deemed to
          constitute an acquittal.

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

3.08      Mergers/Transfers

          This Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
          Company and its successors and assignees and the Eligible Employee,
          his designees and his estate. Nothing in this Plan shall preclude the
          Company from consolidating or merging into or with, or transferring
          all or substantially all of its assets to, another corporation which
          assumes this Plan and all obligations of the Company hereunder. Upon
          such a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets and assumption, the
          term "Company" shall refer to such other corporation and this Plan
          shall continue in full force and effect.

3.09      Change of Control

          Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the case of an
          Eligible Employee who has an agreement with the Company which provides
          for benefits following a change of control ("Termination Protection
          Agreement"), the following provisions shall apply in the event that
          such Eligible Employee's employment with the Company is terminated
          under the circumstances described in Section 3 of his or her
          Termination Protection Agreement.

          (a)  Such Eligible Employee, if not a Retiree as defined in Section
               1.18, shall be deemed to be a Retiree and shall be entitled to a
               Benefit determined in accordance with Section 2.02;

          (b)  For purposes of Section 2.02 such Eligible Employee's age and
               years of Credited Service shall be increased by three (3) years;

          (c)  The Actuarial Equivalent value of such Eligible Employee's
               Grandfathered Benefit, if any, shall be paid to him or her in a
               lump sum within 30 days after the date of termination of his or
               her employment; and

          (d)  The Eligible Employee's Section 409A Benefit shall be paid in
               accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Plan unless such
               change of control is a change in control event as defined in
               Treas. Reg. ss.1.409A-3(i)(5) (or any successor thereto) and the
               Separation from Service occurs within two years following such
               change of control, in which case payment shall be made in a lump
               sum (equal to the Actuarial Equivalent value of such Eligible
               Employee's Section 409A Benefit) on the first business day of the
               month following the six-month anniversary of such Separation from
               Service.

3.10      Calculations

          Whenever, under this Plan, it is necessary to determine whether one
          benefit is less than, equal to, or larger than another, whether or not
          such benefits are provided under this Plan, such determination shall
          be made by the Company's independent consulting actuary, using
          mortality and interest (unless otherwise specified in this Plan) and
          any other assumptions normally used at the time by such actuary in
          determining actuarial equivalents under the Retirement Plan.

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

3.11      Elections

          All elections, designations, requests, notices, instructions, and
          other communications from an Eligible Employee, Retiree, or other
          person to the Committee that are required or permitted under the Plan
          shall be in such form as is prescribed from time to time by the
          Committee, shall be mailed by Certified or Registered Mail, Return
          Receipt Requested, or personally delivered to the principal offices of
          the Company, and shall be deemed to have been given and delivered only
          upon actual receipt thereof at such location.

3.12      Acceleration of Payment

          Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the
          Company shall make payments of any Grandfathered Benefit hereunder to
          a Retiree or Beneficiary before such payments are otherwise due if the
          Committee determines, based on a change in the tax or revenue laws of
          the United States of America, a published ruling or similar
          announcement issued by the Internal Revenue Service, a regulation
          issued by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, a decision by
          a court of competent jurisdiction involving an Eligible Employee,
          Retiree or Beneficiary, or a closing agreement made under Code Section
          7121 that is approved by the Internal Revenue Service and involves an
          Eligible Employee, Retiree or Beneficiary, that an Eligible Employee,
          Retiree or Beneficiary has recognized or will recognize income for
          federal income tax purposes with respect to amounts that are or will
          be payable to him under the Plan before they are paid to him. In such
          cases, any such Retiree or Beneficiary so affected shall receive the
          remaining Grandfathered Benefit payments payable to him and, where
          appropriate, his Beneficiary in one single payment of Actuarial
          Equivalent value to such remaining payments. Upon receipt of such
          accelerated payment the provisions of Section 2.10 shall apply to any
          Beneficiary of such Retiree. Notwithstanding any other provision of
          the Plan to the contrary, the Company shall make payment of any
          Section 409A Benefit hereunder to a Retiree or Beneficiary before such
          payments are due if, and only to the extent such amount becomes
          taxable as a result of a failure to comply with Code Section 409A
          requirements in accordance with Treas. Reg. ss.1.409A-3(j)(4)(vii) (or
          any successor thereto). Any such payment shall offset the Section 409A
          Benefit otherwise due hereunder.

3.13      Construction

          (a)  The Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded deferred
               compensation arrangement for a select group of management or
               highly compensated employees and therefore exempt from the
               requirements of Sections 201, 301 and 401 of ERISA. All rights
               hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
               Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder and, to the extent
               such Section and regulations are inapplicable, in accordance with
               the laws of the State of Tennessee (without reference to
               principles of conflicts of law) and, except to the extent
               otherwise herein provided, in accordance with the provisions of
               the Retirement Plan.

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

          (b)  The masculine pronoun shall mean the feminine wherever
               appropriate.

          (c)  The captions preceding the sections and articles hereof have been
               inserted solely as a matter of convenience and in no way define
               or limit the scope or intent of any provisions of the Plan.

3.14      Insurance Products

          The Company may require each Eligible Employee to assist it in
          obtaining life insurance policies on the lives of each Eligible
          Employee, which policies would be owned by, and be payable to, the
          Company. The Eligible Employee may be required to complete an
          application for life insurance, furnish underwriting information
          including medical examinations by a life insurance company-approved
          examiner, and authorize release of medical history to the life
          insurance company's underwriter, as designated by the Company. An
          Eligible Employee shall have no right or interest in such policies or
          the proceeds thereof.

3.15      Nature of Obligation

          No Eligible Employee, Retiree or Beneficiary shall have any interest
          in any specific asset of the Company or any Affiliated Company as a
          result of the Plan. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to create
          a trust of any kind or any fiduciary relationship between the Company
          (or any Affiliated Company) and any Eligible Employee, Retiree or
          Beneficiary. Any right to receive any Benefit under the Plan shall
          only be the right of a general unsecured creditor.

3.16      Legal Fees

          In the event that any claim by an Eligible Employee for payment of any
          benefit under the Plan is disputed by the Company or the trustee of
          any "rabbi" trust created in connection therewith, or any other
          dispute in respect of the Plan or any such trust arises between any
          Eligible Employee, the Company and/or such trustee, any such Eligible
          Employee shall be promptly reimbursed for all reasonable attorney fees
          and expenses incurred by any such Eligible Employee during his or her
          lifetime (i) in pursuing any such claim, or (ii) in connection with
          any such other dispute. All reimbursements shall be made by the end of
          the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense is
          incurred and reimbursement in any year shall not affect the amount of
          reimbursement in a subsequent year, provided, however, that no such
          payment due with respect to a claim or dispute arising as a result of
          a Separation from Service shall be made prior to the six month
          anniversary of Separation from Service.

3.17      Tax Gross-Up

          (a)  Payment. Subject to the requirements stated in this Section 3.17,
               in the event that amounts hereunder become subject to the
               additional tax and interest under Code section 409A ("409A
               additional tax") as a result of a plan document failure or an
               operational failure caused solely by the action or inaction of
               the Company (and not at the request of the Eligible Employee),
               the Company shall pay to the Eligible Employee an amount equal to
               such 409A additional tax and any additional taxes imposed upon
               the Eligible Employee due to the Company's payment of such 409A
               additional tax (a "409A Gross-Up Payment"). In no event, however,
               shall any amounts become payable under this Section 3.17 as a
               result of compensation required to be included in gross income by
               reason of Code section 409A(b)(3). The 409A Gross-Up Payment
               shall be paid to the Eligible Employee within five business days
               of the date such taxes are remitted to the applicable taxing
               authority, subject to the notification requirements set forth in
               Section 3.17(b) in the event such taxes are not remitted by
               withholding, but in no event later than the end of the Eligible
               Employee's taxable year next following the Eligible Employee's
               taxable year in which the Eligible Employee remits such taxes.

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

          (b)  Notification and Right to Contest. An Eligible Employee shall
               notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal
               Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by
               the Company of the 409A Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall
               be given as soon as practicable but no later than (10) ten
               business days after such Eligible Employee is informed in writing
               of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
               claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid.
               The Eligible Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the
               expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he
               gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending
               on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim
               is due). If the Company notifies the Eligible Employee in writing
               prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest
               such claim, or if the Company notifies the Eligible Employee at
               the time of payment of the Gross-Up Payment under Section 3.17(a)
               that it desires to contest the application of the 409A additional
               tax (in either case, a "claim"), the Eligible Employee shall (i)
               give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
               Company relating to such claim, (ii) take such action in
               connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall
               reasonably request in writing from time to time, including
               ,without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
               to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
               (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
               effectively to contest such claim, and (iv) permit the Company to
               participate in any proceeding relating to such claim; provided,
               however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs
               and expenses (including additional interest and penalties)
               incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and
               hold such Eligible Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for
               any income tax (including interest and penalties with respect
               thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment
               of costs and expenses. All such costs and expenses incurred due
               to a tax audit or litigation addressing the existence of or
               amount of a tax liability under this Section 3.17 shall be paid
               by the Company within thirty (30) days of the date payment of
               such expenses is due, but in any event not later than (A)
               December 31 of the year following the year in which the taxes are
               remitted to the taxing authority, or (B) where as a result of
               such audit or litigation no taxes are remitted, December 31 of
               the year following the year in which the audit is complete or
               there is a final and nonappealable settlement or other resolution
               of the litigation. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
               of this Section 3.17(b), the Company shall control all
               proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its
               sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative
               appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
               authority in respect of such claim and the Eligible Employee
               shall prosecute such contest to a determination before any
               administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and
               in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine;
               provided, however, that any extension of the statute of
               limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of
               the Eligible Employee with respect to which such contested amount
               is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
               Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be
               limited to issues with respect to which a 409A Gross-Up Payment
               would be payable hereunder, and the Eligible Employee shall be
               entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
               issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
               authority.

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

          (c)  Refund. If an Eligible Employee becomes entitled to receive one
               or more refunds of all or any part of the 409A additional tax
               with respect to which a 409A Gross-Up Payment was made, the
               Eligible Employee shall pay the refund to the Company within five
               business days of the receipt of any such refund.

          (d)  Delayed Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
               this Section 3.17, if under Code section 409A any payment under
               this Section 3.17 is considered to be due as a result of the
               Eligible Employee's Separation from Service and the stock of the
               Company (or the stock of any entity considered a single employer
               with the Company under Treas. Reg. ss.1.409A-1(g) or any
               successor thereto) is publicly traded on an established
               securities market or otherwise at the time of the Participant's
               Separation from Service, no payment shall be made pursuant to
               this Section 3.17 prior to the six-month anniversary of such
               Separation from Service.

           ARTICLE 4. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, OR PARTICIPANT REMOVAL
           ---------------------------------------------------------

The Board of Directors reserves the right to modify or to amend, in whole or in
part, or to terminate this Plan at any time (including with respect to any
Eligible Employee who has had a Separation from Service). However, no
modification, amendment or termination of the Plan shall reduce the Benefit
being paid to a Retiree as of the date of any such amendment or termination. In
respect of any Eligible Employee, no modification or amendment shall adversely
affect such Eligible Employee, unless such Eligible Employee consents to such
modification or amendment in writing, and, if the Plan is terminated by the
Company, each Eligible Employee shall be entitled to a Benefit calculated under
Article 2 above, based on such Eligible Employee's service and compensation to
the date of such plan termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of
Directors reserves the right to modify the Plan at any time without the consent
of any Eligible Employee in order to comply with Code Section 409A and the
regulations and other guidance issued thereunder. With respect to Section 409A
Benefits payment may be made upon termination of the Plan only if permitted
under regulations issued under Code Section 409A.

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

An Eligible Employee who has not completed five or more years of Credited
Service and reached his Early Retirement Date, may be removed as a participant
from the Plan by the Committee if he terminates employment with the Company or
his position changes so that he is no longer considered a member of senior
management. In such case, the former Eligible Employee shall have no rights to
any Benefit under the Plan, but rather such former Eligible Employee shall only
have those rights that are available to such former Eligible Employee under the
Company's other benefit plans.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION has caused this Plan, as
amended, to be duly executed this _______ day of _________________, 2007.

Attest:                                  THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION

_________________________________        By:____________________________________
Name:                                       Name:
Title:                                      Title:

(Corporate Seal)

                                     - 16 -

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