Reportable Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2012
Reportable Business Segments
Number of reportable business segments			2
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 1,153,062	$ 1,103,376	$ 3,368,934	$ 3,146,087
Segment operating income	224,483	215,670	655,453	607,125
External
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,153,062	1,103,376	3,368,934	3,146,087
Segment operating income	245,824	233,214	713,250	657,793
External | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,063,179	1,033,309	3,104,856	2,926,834
Segment operating income	233,435	224,517	676,818	627,962
External | Cable Products
Segment reporting information
Net sales	89,883	70,067	264,078	219,253
Segment operating income	12,389	8,697	36,432	29,831
Inter-Segment
Segment reporting information
Net sales	6,617	5,497	19,182	17,933
Inter-Segment | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,309	1,434	4,064	3,429
Inter-Segment | Cable Products
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 5,308	$ 4,063	$ 15,118	$ 14,504