Restructuring Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 12,473	$ 8,005	$ 18,841	$ 9,139
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			7,761
Provision			18,841
Payments			(9,544)
Other, including foreign currency			(43)
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	17,015		17,015
Communication Technologies Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	9,518	649	12,832	1,658
Energy Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	1,175	495	1,175	495
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	411	1,301	3,379	1,426
Printing and Identification Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	1,369	5,560	1,455	5,560
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			5,160
Provision			15,880
Payments			(6,551)
Other, including foreign currency			(24)
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	14,465		14,465
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			2,601
Provision			2,961
Payments			(2,993)
Other, including foreign currency			(19)
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	2,550		2,550
Cost of Sales [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	5,839	738	10,327	986
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	6,634	7,267	8,514	8,153
Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected future restructuring charges	20,000		20,000
Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected future restructuring charges	$ 25,000		$ 25,000