Reportable Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 item	Jun. 30, 2013
Reportable Business Segments
Number of reportable business segments			2
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 1,314,172	$ 1,136,067	$ 2,560,246	$ 2,215,872
Segment operating income	255,810	224,013	487,945	430,970
Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Segment operating income	264,292	230,082	507,025	443,383
Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Segment operating income	11,691	12,443	22,272	24,043
Operating Segment
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,314,172	1,136,067	2,560,246	2,215,872
Segment operating income	275,983	242,525	529,297	467,426
Operating Segment | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,222,326	1,045,751	2,381,436	2,041,677
Operating Segment | Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Net sales	91,846	90,316	178,810	174,195
Inter-Segment
Segment reporting information
Net sales	7,948	6,004	14,401	12,565
Inter-Segment | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,570	1,461	2,684	2,755
Inter-Segment | Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 6,378	$ 4,543	$ 11,717	$ 9,810