Reportable Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 item	Mar. 31, 2013
Reportable Business Segments
Number of reportable business segments	2
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 1,246,074	$ 1,079,805
Segment operating income	232,135	206,957
Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Segment operating income	242,836	213,301
Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Segment operating income	10,581	11,600
Operating Segment
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,246,074	1,079,805
Segment operating income	253,417	224,901
Operating Segment | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,159,110	995,926
Operating Segment | Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Net sales	86,964	83,879
Inter-Segment
Segment reporting information
Net sales	6,453	6,561
Inter-Segment | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,114	1,294
Inter-Segment | Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 5,339	$ 5,267