Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 94,840	$ 88,233	$ 267,904	$ 282,751
Cost of sales	73,194	71,281	205,327	228,198
Gross profit	21,646	16,952	62,577	54,553
Selling, general and administrative expenses	18,417	18,049	56,599	55,784
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	2,670	3,851	2,782	5,901
Debt restructuring and associated costs	0	814	0	814
Legal reserve	36	0	111	50
Operating profit (loss)	523	(5,762)	3,085	(7,996)
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	(6,231)	(3,754)	(18,119)	(10,099)
Other income (expense), net	57	948	(2,883)	877
Total other expense	(6,174)	(2,806)	(21,002)	(9,222)
Loss before income taxes	(5,651)	(8,568)	(17,917)	(17,218)
Income tax expense	(1,937)	(356)	(2,021)	(2,504)
Net loss	(7,588)	(8,924)	(19,938)	(19,722)
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	44	35	39	(259)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$ (7,632)	$ (8,959)	$ (19,977)	$ (19,463)
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.95)	$ (2.11)	$ (2.49)	$ (4.65)
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.95)	$ (2.11)	$ (2.49)	$ (4.65)