Reportable Business Segments and International Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Reportable Business Segments and International Operations
Number of reportable business segments									2
Segment reporting information
Net sales - external	$ 1,145,978	$ 1,103,376	$ 1,061,107	$ 981,604	$ 948,709	$ 1,032,754	$ 1,017,738	$ 940,585	$ 4,292,065	$ 3,939,786	$ 3,554,101
Depreciation and amortization									121,779	119,439	102,846
Segment operating income	221,220	215,670	206,176	185,279	164,660	186,059	214,874	186,085	828,345	751,678	700,357
Total
Segment reporting information
Net sales - external									4,292,065	3,939,786	3,554,101
Net sales - intersegment									24,485	28,763	22,724
Depreciation and amortization									109,885	110,198	97,134
Segment operating income									899,205	822,136	761,418
Segment assets (excluding goodwill)	3,005,122				2,437,412				3,005,122	2,437,412	2,337,599
Additions to property, plant and equipment									128,880	100,029	109,432
Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales - external									3,987,286	3,666,042	3,293,119
Net sales - intersegment									4,928	5,645	3,002
Depreciation and amortization									107,466	107,021	93,641
Segment operating income									858,066	787,323	725,946
Segment assets (excluding goodwill)	2,870,280				2,333,249				2,870,280	2,333,249	2,253,638
Additions to property, plant and equipment									125,527	97,459	106,267
Cable Products
Segment reporting information
Net sales - external									304,779	273,744	260,982
Net sales - intersegment									19,557	23,118	19,722
Depreciation and amortization									2,419	3,177	3,493
Segment operating income									41,139	34,813	35,472
Segment assets (excluding goodwill)	134,842				104,163				134,842	104,163	83,961
Additions to property, plant and equipment									$ 3,353	$ 2,570	$ 3,165