Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 373,169	$ 369,284	$ 432,480
Cost of sales	298,898	289,148	323,865
Gross profit	74,271	80,136	108,615
Selling, general and administrative expenses	74,712	81,200	91,653
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	5,932	14,719	32,799
Debt restructuring and related costs	1,198	0	0
Legal reserve	5,523	193	0
Cost related to unsolicited takeover attempt	(545)	1,916	0
Operating loss	(12,549)	(17,892)	(15,837)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense, net	(17,435)	(6,202)	(4,853)
Other income (expense), net	5,213	(561)	(4,356)
Total other expense	(12,222)	(6,763)	(9,209)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(24,771)	(24,655)	(25,046)
Income tax expense	(6,979)	(23,243)	(2,691)
Net loss from continuing operations	(31,750)	(47,898)	(27,737)
Net loss from discontinued operations	(345)	(28)	(9,679)
Net loss	(32,095)	(47,926)	(37,416)
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to non-controlling interest	(109)	(88)	987
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	(31,986)	(47,838)	(38,403)
Amounts attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation common shareholders:
Net loss from continuing operations	(31,641)	(47,810)	(28,724)
Net loss from discontinued operations	(345)	(28)	(9,679)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$ (31,986)	$ (47,838)	$ (38,403)
Basic loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.68)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.7)
Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0	$ (0.24)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ (0.69)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.94)
Diluted loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.68)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.7)
Net loss from discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0	$ (0.24)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ (0.69)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.94)