Restructuring and Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	$ 2,324	$ 3,508	$ 9,394	$ 18,926
Expected Restructuring Costs	32,000		32,000
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	5,580		5,580
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	879	0	5,580	0
Cash paid			(410)
Foreign currency translation			(19)
Balance at end of period	$ 5,151		5,151
Term of restructuring program	27 months
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 30,000		30,000
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Diodes Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs			48
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Resistors And Inductors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs			480
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Capacitors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs			4,719
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs			333
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	10,567		10,567
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	1,445	1,522	3,737	4,741	$ 6,025	$ 2,328
Cash paid			(400)		(856)	(267)
Balance at end of period	$ 10,567		10,567		7,230	2,061
Balance at beginning of period			7,230	2,061	2,061
Term of restructuring program	2 years
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 16,000		16,000
Voluntary Separation/Retirement Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	1,756		1,756
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	0	(94)	77	12,105	12,792	486
Cash paid			(2,761)		(8,054)	(98)
Foreign currency translation			(234)		(455)	3
Balance at end of period	1,756		1,756		4,674	$ 391
Balance at beginning of period			4,674	391	391
Modules Product Transfer [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	823		823
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	0	$ 2,080	0	$ 2,080	2,080
Cash paid			(567)		(464)
Foreign currency translation			(105)		(121)
Balance at end of period	$ 823		823		$ 1,495
Balance at beginning of period			$ 1,495