Restructuring and Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	$ 3,244	$ 1,197	$ 5,194	$ 12,139
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	2,586		2,586
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	2,463	675	2,911	5,700	$ 9,744	$ 5,367	$ 6,025	$ 2,328
Cash paid			(5,897)		(15,686)	(426)	(856)	(267)
Foreign currency translation					2	1
Balance at end of period	$ 3,246		3,246		6,232	12,172	7,230	$ 2,061
Balance at beginning of period			6,232	12,172	12,172	7,230	$ 2,061
Term of restructuring program	2 years
Other Exit Costs			380
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 26,000		26,000
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	27,000		27,000
Voluntary Separation/Retirement Program [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring cost incurred to date	13,373		13,373
Modules Product Transfer [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	0	(464)	0	(464)
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	2,478		2,478
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	781	986	2,283	6,903	9,918	13,753
Cash paid			(5,779)		(16,237)	(986)
Foreign currency translation			319		(34)	(150)
Balance at end of period	$ 3,087		3,087		6,264	$ 12,617
Balance at beginning of period			6,264	12,617	$ 12,617
Term of restructuring program	27 months
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 30,000		30,000
Other Exit Costs			550
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Diodes Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	(13)	210	0	788
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Optoelectronic Components Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	0	0	242	953
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Resistors And Inductors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	468	641	1,403	3,163
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Capacitors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	88	36	334	459
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	$ 238	$ 99	304	$ 1,540
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program Extension [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Term of restructuring program	15 months
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program Extension [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 7,000		7,000
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program Extension [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 8,000		$ 8,000