Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 515,086	$ 525,888
Short-term investments	133,848	98,341
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	648,934	624,229
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,113 and $14,946, respectively	767,181	718,545
Inventories, net:
Raw materials and supplies	210,886	162,439
Work in process	255,581	231,719
Finished goods	183,395	155,011
Inventories, net	649,862	549,169
Other current assets	115,260	100,187
Total current assets	2,181,237	1,992,130
Land and depreciable assets:
Land	21,930	19,400
Buildings and improvements	159,573	158,426
Machinery and equipment	854,867	800,178
Land and depreciable assets, gross	1,036,370	978,004
Accumulated depreciation	(655,869)	(611,008)
Land and depreciable assets, net	380,501	366,996
Goodwill	1,746,113	1,533,299
Other long-term assets	137,374	123,432
Total assets	4,445,225	4,015,857
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	377,867	384,963
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits	83,810	75,183
Accrued income taxes	87,315	65,311
Accrued acquisition-related obligations		39,615
Other accrued expenses	93,125	89,566
Short-term debt	298	352
Total current liabilities	642,415	654,990
Long-term debt (Note 2)	1,376,831	799,640
Accrued pension and post-employment benefit obligations	207,049	176,636
Other long-term liabilities	34,144	41,876
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Notes 2, 10 and 16)
Equity:
Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 163,122,474 and 175,550,683 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	163	176
Additional paid-in capital	189,166	144,855
Accumulated earnings	2,102,497	2,260,581
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(120,057)	(84,757)
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Amphenol Corporation	2,171,769	2,320,855
Noncontrolling interests	13,017	21,860
Total equity	2,184,786	2,342,715
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 4,445,225	$ 4,015,857