Quarterly financial data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011	Jul. 01, 2011	Apr. 01, 2011	Dec. 28, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 90,418,000	$ 88,233,000	$ 100,383,000	$ 94,135,000	$ 90,473,000	[1]	$ 96,014,000	$ 94,758,000	$ 88,039,000	$ 373,169,000	$ 369,284,000	$ 432,480,000
Gross profit	19,717,000	16,952,000	19,204,000	18,398,000	17,238,000	[1]	22,101,000	22,373,000	18,424,000	74,271,000	80,136,000	108,615,000
Net loss from continuing operations	(12,029,000)	(8,924,000)	(6,494,000)	(4,303,000)	(37,460,000)	[1]	(988,000)	(4,461,000)	(4,989,000)	(31,750,000)	(47,898,000)	(27,737,000)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(345,000)	0	0	0	(370,000)	[1]	(270,000)	0	612,000	(345,000)	(28,000)	(9,679,000)
Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interest	(150,000)	(35,000)	97,000	197,000	62,000	[1]	118,000	(44,000)	(48,000)	109,000	88,000	(987,000)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	(12,524,000)	(8,959,000)	(6,397,000)	(4,106,000)	(37,768,000)	[1]	(1,140,000)	(4,505,000)	(4,425,000)	(31,986,000)	(47,838,000)	(38,403,000)
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.1)	$ (0.92)	[1]	$ (0.03)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.69)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.94)
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)										$ (0.69)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.94)
Income tax valuation allowance					$ 32,500,000

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2011, we recorded an income tax valuation allowance of $32.5 million. Refer to Note 8, Income taxes, for additional information.