Consolidated Condensed Statement of Equity - 9 months ended Oct. 03, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Class B Convertible Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Vishay Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 13,532	$ 1,213	$ 2,055,246	$ (175,485)	$ (69,140)	$ 1,825,366	$ 5,511	$ 1,830,877
Net earnings	0	0	0	29,301	0	29,301	592	29,893
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0	(52,046)	(52,046)	0	(52,046)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	(725)	(725)
Restricted stock issuances	12	0	(651)	0	0	(639)	0	(639)
Dividends declared	0	0	24	(26,586)	0	(26,562)	0	(26,562)
Stock compensation expense	0	0	2,912	0	0	2,912	0	2,912
Tax effects of stock plan	0	0	21	0	0	21	0	21
Balance at Oct. 03, 2015	$ 13,544	$ 1,213	$ 2,057,552	$ (172,770)	$ (121,186)	$ 1,778,353	$ 5,378	$ 1,783,731