Reportable Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 item	Sep. 30, 2013
Reportable Business Segments
Number of reportable business segments			2
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 1,358,742	$ 1,153,062	$ 3,918,988	$ 3,368,934
Segment operating income	267,821	224,483	755,766	655,453
Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Segment operating income	279,795	233,435	786,820	676,818
Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Segment operating income	11,290	12,389	33,562	36,432
Operating Segment
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,358,742	1,153,062	3,918,988	3,368,934
Segment operating income	291,085	245,824	820,382	713,250
Operating Segment | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	1,268,639	1,063,179	3,650,075	3,104,856
Operating Segment | Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Net sales	90,103	89,883	268,913	264,078
Inter-Segment
Segment reporting information
Net sales	3,460	6,617	17,861	19,182
Inter-Segment | Interconnect Products and Assemblies
Segment reporting information
Net sales	2,171	1,309	4,855	4,064
Inter-Segment | Cable Products and Solutions
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 1,289	$ 5,308	$ 13,006	$ 15,118