Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 81,652	$ 84,806
Cost of sales	64,126	64,625
Gross profit	17,526	20,181
Selling, general and administrative expenses	17,922	19,174
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	961	19
Legal reserve	11	38
Operating (loss) profit	(1,368)	950
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	(7,118)	(5,114)
Other expense, net	(73)	(2,532)
Total other expense	(7,191)	(7,646)
Loss before income taxes	(8,559)	(6,696)
Income tax expense	(472)	(434)
Net loss	(9,031)	(7,130)
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	14	(14)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$ (9,045)	$ (7,116)
Basic loss per share:
Basic shares outstanding (in shares)	12,650	7,957
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.72)	$ (0.89)
Diluted loss per share:
Diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	12,650	7,957
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.72)	$ (0.89)