Borrowings (Debt outstanding - long-term) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 15,569	$ 8,014
Less current portion	(15,549)us-gaap_DebtCurrent	(7,914)us-gaap_DebtCurrent
Total debt, excluding current portion	20us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent	100us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Maxwell SA short-term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	3,017	3,359
Maxwell SA credit agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	2,011	2,240
Secured Debt [Member] \| Equipment Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	559	2,236
Financing Agreements [Member] \| Maxwell SA auto leases [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings	82	179
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	$ 9,900	$ 0

Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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- Definition

Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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