Quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended											12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011	Jul. 01, 2011	Apr. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 01, 2010	Jun. 25, 2010		Mar. 26, 2010		Dec. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 25, 2009
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 90,473,000	[1]	$ 96,014,000	$ 94,758,000	$ 88,039,000	$ 101,184,000	$ 121,963,000	$ 116,473,000	[2]	$ 92,860,000	[3]	$ 369,284,000	$ 432,480,000	$ 398,803,000
Gross profit	17,238,000	[1]	22,101,000	22,373,000	18,424,000	25,087,000	33,068,000	30,868,000	[2]	19,592,000	[3]	80,136,000	108,615,000	100,768,000
Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations	(43,008,000)	[1]	(988,000)	(4,461,000)	(4,989,000)	2,153,000	8,136,000	(2,482,000)	[2]	(35,544,000)	[3]	(53,446,000)	(27,737,000)	(72,859,000)
Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations	(370,000)	[1]	(270,000)	0	612,000	(699,000)	6,188,000	2,908,000	[2]	(18,076,000)	[3]	(28,000)	(9,679,000)	(119,978,000)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	62,000	[1]	118,000	(44,000)	(48,000)	(273,000)	(117,000)	(290,000)	[2]	(307,000)	[3]	88,000	(987,000)	(375,000)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	(43,316,000)	[1]	(1,140,000)	(4,505,000)	(4,425,000)	1,181,000	14,207,000	136,000	[2]	(53,927,000)	[3]	(53,386,000)	(38,403,000)	(193,212,000)
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.05)	[1]	$ (0.03)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.03	$ 0.35	$ 0.00	[2]	$ (1.32)	[3]	$ (1.30)	$ (0.94)	$ (4.73)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.05)	[1]	$ (0.03)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.03	$ 0.30	$ 0.00	[2]	$ (1.32)	[3]	$ (1.30)	$ (0.94)	$ (4.73)
Income tax valuation allowance	58,000,000
Increase in income tax expense resulting from income tax valuation allowance	38,000,000
Goodwill impairment										14,600,000			14,600,000	71,000,000
Finite-lived intangible assets impairment								$ 3,600,000		$ 11,500,000			$ 15,100,000

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2011, we recorded an income tax valuation allowance of $58.0 million, of which $38.0 million resulted in an increase in income tax expense. Refer to Note 7, Income taxes, for additional information.

[2] During the second quarter of 2010, we recorded a $3.6 million intangible asset impairment charge. Refer to Note 4, Goodwill and other intangible assets, for a description of the impairment.

[3] During the first quarter of 2010, we recorded impairments of $14.6 million to our goodwill and $11.5 million to our finite-lived intangible assets. Refer to Note 4, Goodwill and other intangible assets, for a description of the impairment.