Restructuring and Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, current	$ 12,655				$ 26,791				$ 12,655	$ 26,791
Restructuring and related expenses	7,060	$ 1,197	$ 4,467	$ 6,475	9,821	$ 2,324	$ 5,660	$ 1,410	19,199	19,215	$ 20,897
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses	7,060	$ 1,197	$ 4,467	$ 6,475	9,821	$ 2,324	$ 5,660	$ 1,410	19,199	19,215	20,897
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, current	5,890								5,890
Restructuring and related expenses									9,918	13,753	0
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									9,918	13,753	0
Cash paid									(16,237)	(986)
Foreign currency translation									(34)	(150)
Balance at end of period	6,264				12,617				$ 6,264	12,617
Term of restructuring program									24 months
Expected Restructuring Costs	30,000								$ 30,000
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Diodes Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related expenses									788	133
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									788	133
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Optoelectronic Components Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related expenses									936	215
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									936	215
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Resistors And Inductors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related expenses									5,173	5,972
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									5,173	5,972
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Capacitors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related expenses									687	5,209
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									687	5,209
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Unallocated Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related expenses									2,334	2,224
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									2,334	2,224
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, current	6,232								6,232
Restructuring and related expenses									9,744	5,367	6,025	$ 2,328
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									9,744	5,367	6,025	2,328
Cash paid									(15,686)	(426)	(856)	(267)
Foreign currency translation									2	1
Balance at end of period	6,232				12,172				$ 6,232	12,172	7,230	2,061
Term of restructuring program									2 years
Other Exit Costs									$ 5,763
Voluntary Separation/Retirement Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, current	529								529
Restructuring and related expenses									0	95	12,792	486
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									0	95	12,792	486
Cash paid									(816)	(3,166)	(8,054)	(98)
Foreign currency translation									0	(258)	(455)	3
Balance at end of period	529				$ 1,345				529	1,345	4,674	$ 391
Modules Product Transfer [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related expenses									(463)	0	2,080
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related expenses									(463)	$ 0	$ 2,080
Minimum [Member] | MOSTFETs Program Extension [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	4,000								4,000
Minimum [Member] | MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	23,000								23,000
Maximum [Member] | MOSTFETs Program Extension [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	8,000								8,000
Maximum [Member] | MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 27,000								$ 27,000