Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross		$ 3,857,678
Accumulated impairment loss		(70,561)
Balance	4,021,133	3,787,117
Acquisitions	263,405
Purchase price adjustments	(6,998)
Foreign currency translation	(22,391)
Balance	4,021,133	3,787,117
Total Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,094,367	1,859,885
Communication Technologies Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross		1,204,582
Accumulated impairment loss		0
Balance	1,185,574	1,204,582
Acquisitions	0
Purchase price adjustments	(6,998)
Foreign currency translation	(12,010)
Balance	1,185,574	1,204,582
Energy Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross		622,335
Accumulated impairment loss		0
Balance	730,963	622,335
Acquisitions	108,856
Purchase price adjustments	0
Foreign currency translation	(228)
Balance	730,963	622,335
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross		1,005,981
Accumulated impairment loss		(70,561)
Balance	1,082,981	935,420
Acquisitions	154,549
Purchase price adjustments	0
Foreign currency translation	(6,988)
Balance	1,082,981	935,420
Printing and Identification Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross		1,024,780
Accumulated impairment loss		0
Balance	1,021,615	1,024,780
Acquisitions	0
Purchase price adjustments	0
Foreign currency translation	(3,165)
Balance	$ 1,021,615	$ 1,024,780