Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balances	$ 4,710,691
Goodwill acquired	418,207
Goodwill, Other Changes	0
Currency translation adjustments	(40,858)
Balances	5,088,040
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	2,806,515		2,738,747
Accumulated amortization	(664,216)		(760,018)
Net book value	2,142,299		1,978,729
Amortization expense of other intangible assets	37,859	38,049
Assets subject to amortization [Member] | Customer related intangibles [Member]
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	2,067,106		1,975,334
Accumulated amortization	(516,024)		(543,594)
Net book value	1,551,082		1,431,740
Assets subject to amortization [Member] | Unpatented technology [Member]
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	173,527		217,260
Accumulated amortization	(98,136)		(134,702)
Net book value	75,391		82,558
Assets subject to amortization [Member] | Software [Member]
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	160,597		156,449
Accumulated amortization	(31,978)		(62,882)
Net book value	128,619		93,567
Assets subject to amortization [Member] | Patents and other protective rights [Member]
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	24,682		26,463
Accumulated amortization	(17,278)		(18,325)
Net book value	7,404		8,138
Assets subject to amortization [Member] | Order or Production Backlog [Member]
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	1,100		1,100
Accumulated amortization	(718)		(443)
Net book value	382		657
Assets subject to amortization [Member] | Trade names [Member]
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	594		622
Accumulated amortization	(82)		(72)
Net book value	512		550
Assets not subject to amortization [Member] | Trade names [Member]
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Cost	378,909		361,519
Accumulated amortization	0		0
Net book value	378,909		361,519
Industrial Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balances	408,964
Goodwill acquired	0
Currency translation adjustments	(14,368)
Balances	394,596
Energy Systems And Controls [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balances	426,583
Goodwill acquired	0
Currency translation adjustments	(6,571)
Balances	420,012
Medical And Scientific Imaging [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balances	2,594,356
Goodwill acquired	418,207
Currency translation adjustments	(14,177)
Balances	2,998,386
RF Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balances	1,280,788
Goodwill acquired	0
Currency translation adjustments	(5,742)
Balances	$ 1,275,046