Total Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 20, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 Five Point Seven Five Percent Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Nov. 25, 2013 Five Point Seven Five Percent Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Five Point Seven Five Percent Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Nov. 24, 2003 Five Point Seven Five Percent Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Nov. 23, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 10, 2013 Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Prior Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized, shares		200,000,000
Preferred stock authorized, shares		25,000,000
Authorized amount										$ 125
Purchase of common shares, value		19.5	1.2	62.5							19.5	1.2
Repurchase of common shares, shares											597,531	50,000
Average cost per share											$ 32.65	$ 24.80
Preferred stock, shares issued								2,070,000
Interest rate								5.75%
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding		0	76,002		0	0	76,002
Shares conversion ratio									5.056
Dividends per share declared and paid	$ 0.18	$ 0.54
Payments of dividends in total		26.7
Percent of matching and retirement contribution of compensation paid		6.00%
Investments in mutual funds, percent		89.00%
Investments in General Cable stock fund		11.00%
Market value of mutual fund investments, nonvested and subsequently vested stock and restricted stock in the rabbi trust		42.0	38.1
Market value of the assets held by the rabbi trust classified as other non-current assets													22.2	17.7
Amounts payable to the plan participants classified as other liabilities		$ 24.2	$ 19.8