Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	$ 4,158,710	$ 4,114,650
Acquisitions	48,879
Purchase price adjustments	(11,423)
Foreign currency translation	6,604
Balance	4,158,710	4,114,650
Communication Technologies Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	1,213,321	1,204,295
Acquisitions	0
Purchase price adjustments	0
Foreign currency translation	9,026
Balance	1,213,321	1,204,295
Energy Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	779,606	760,637
Acquisitions	24,774
Purchase price adjustments	(2,277)
Foreign currency translation	(3,528)
Balance	779,606	760,637
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	1,414,024	1,403,381
Acquisitions	19,032
Purchase price adjustments	(9,146)
Foreign currency translation	757
Balance	1,414,024	1,403,381
Printing and Identification Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	751,759	746,337
Acquisitions	5,073
Purchase price adjustments	0
Foreign currency translation	349
Balance	$ 751,759	$ 746,337