Acquisition and Divestiture Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Huntington Electric Inc. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 HiRel Systems [Member]	Dec. 31, 2007 International Rectifier Corporation Tender Offer [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 International Rectifier Corporation Tender Offer [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 VPG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 VPG [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 VPG [Member] Class B Convertible Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 ASBU [Member]
Spin-off of Vishay Precision Group, Inc.
Exchange Ratio Under Spin-Off										1 share of VPG common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay common stock	1 share of VPG Class B common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay Class B common stock
Bonuses received by certain executive officers									$ 2,100
Sale of Automotive Modules and Subsystems Business
Impairment charge included in loss before income taxes				681
Additional after tax loss recorded subsequent to resolution of net working capital adjustment												5,690
Duration of term loan (in years)	3Y
Term loan issued in connection with business acquisitions	15,000
Goodwill related to acquisitions		9,051	0
Business Acquisitions
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		19,335	0	(28,195)	19,335	85,000	285,600
Refund of purchase price associated with acquisition of PCS business								30,000
Settlement agreement gain		$ 0	$ 0	$ 28,195