Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2016	May. 02, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GENERAL CABLE CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000886035
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,243,628
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer