Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 93,567	$ 88,258	$ 175,219	$ 173,064
Cost of sales	73,830	67,508	137,956	132,133
Gross profit	19,737	20,750	37,263	40,931
Selling, general and administrative expenses	17,026	19,008	34,948	38,182
Severance, impairment and other associated costs	976	93	1,937	112
Legal reserve	11	37	22	75
Operating profit	1,724	1,612	356	2,562
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	(6,361)	(6,774)	(13,479)	(11,888)
Other income (expense), net	318	(408)	245	(2,940)
Total other expense	(6,043)	(7,182)	(13,234)	(14,828)
Loss before income taxes	(4,319)	(5,570)	(12,878)	(12,266)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(3,520)	349	(3,992)	(84)
Net loss	(7,839)	(5,221)	(16,870)	(12,350)
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to non-controlling interest	(30)	9	(16)	(5)
Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation	$ (7,809)	$ (5,230)	$ (16,854)	$ (12,345)
Basic loss per share:
Basic shares outstanding (in shares)	17,322	7,994	14,992	7,976
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.45)	$ (0.65)	$ (1.12)	$ (1.55)
Diluted loss per share:
Diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	17,322	7,994	14,992	7,976
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.45)	$ (0.65)	$ (1.12)	$ (1.55)