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STOCK PLANS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Performance-based Awards and Restricted Stock Units) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Performance Based Awards [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Number of performance-based awards shares released as a percentage of target number, maximum 0.00%powi_NumberOfPerformanceBasedAwardsSharesReleasedAsPercentageOfTargetNumberMinimum1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
   
Number of performance-based awards shares released as a percentage of target number, minimum 200.00%powi_NumberOfPerformanceBasedAwardsSharesReleasedAsPercentageOfTargetNumberMaximum1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
   
Reduction in number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan per award granted 2.0powi_ReductionInNumberOfSharesAvailableForIssuancePerAwardsUnitGranted
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding, shares, beginning of period 100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
102,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Granted, shares 83,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
102,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
102,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Vested, shares (83,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
(54,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned, shares (17,000)powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsChangeInUnitsDueToPerformanceAchievement
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
(48,000)powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsChangeInUnitsDueToPerformanceAchievement
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
 
Forfeited or expired, shares (83,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
(2,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Outstanding, shares, end of period 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
102,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning of period $ 38.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 37.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 53.93us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 38.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 37.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 38.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 37.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Change in units due to performance achievement for PSUs not earned, weighted- average grant date fair value per share $ 38.48powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsChangeInUnitsDueToPerformanceAchievementWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 37.60powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsChangeInUnitsDueToPerformanceAchievementWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
 
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 53.93us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 41.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, end of period $ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 38.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
$ 37.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) 0 years    
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value $ 0powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
   
Outstanding and expected to vest, shares 0powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAndExpectedToVestNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
   
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) 0 years    
Outstanding and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value 0powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAndExpectedToVestAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
   
Grant date fair value of awards released 3,200,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
2,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_PerformanceBasedAwardsMember
 
Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Reduction in number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan per award granted 2.0powi_ReductionInNumberOfSharesAvailableForIssuancePerAwardsUnitGranted
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Performance based period 3 years    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding, shares, beginning of period 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Granted, shares 61,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Vested, shares 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Forfeited or expired, shares 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Outstanding, shares, end of period 61,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning of period $ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 55.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, end of period $ 55.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) 2 years    
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value 3,161,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueOutstanding
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Outstanding and expected to vest, shares 37,000powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAndExpectedToVestNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) 2 years    
Outstanding and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value 1,928,000powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAndExpectedToVestAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
   
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Reduction in number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan per award granted 2.0powi_ReductionInNumberOfSharesAvailableForIssuancePerAwardsUnitGranted
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Awards vesting period 4 years    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding, shares, beginning of period 714,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
573,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
458,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Granted, shares 281,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
386,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
293,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Vested, shares (267,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(195,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(152,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Forfeited or expired, shares (36,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(50,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(26,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Outstanding, shares, end of period 692,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
714,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
573,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, beginning of period $ 38.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 38.21us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 36.08us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 51.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 39.09us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 41.06us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 38.57us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 37.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 36.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Forfeited or expired, weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 42.74us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 39.50us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 36.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value per share, end of period $ 43.86us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 38.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 38.21us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) 1 year 3 months 10 days    
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value 35,821,000powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Outstanding and expected to vest, shares 645,000powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAndExpectedToVestNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Outstanding and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) 1 year 2 months 19 days    
Outstanding and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value 33,364,000powi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingAndExpectedToVestAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Grant date fair value of awards released $ 10,300,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 7,400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 5,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, minimum 0.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Performance-based Awards [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Number of performance-based awards shares released as percentage of target number, minimum 200.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= powi_LongTermPerformancebasedUnitsMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember