Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 84,806	$ 94,135
Cost of sales	64,625	75,737
Gross profit	20,181	18,398
Selling, general and administrative expenses	19,174	18,993
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	19	1,537
Legal reserve	38	0
Operating profit (loss)	950	(2,132)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense, net	(5,114)	(2,593)
Other (expense) income , net	(2,532)	1,079
Total other expense	(7,646)	(1,514)
Loss before income taxes	(6,696)	(3,646)
Income tax expense	(434)	(657)
Net loss	(7,130)	(4,303)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(14)	(197)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$ (7,116)	$ (4,106)
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.1)
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.1)