Restructuring and Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2017	Apr. 02, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	$ 1,469	$ 6,475
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	5,221
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	420	3,915	$ 9,744	$ 5,367	$ 6,025	$ 2,328
Cash paid	(1,431)		(15,686)	(426)	(856)	(267)
Foreign currency translation	0		2	1
Balance at end of period	5,221		6,232	12,172	7,230	$ 2,061
Balance at beginning of period	$ 6,232	12,172	12,172	7,230	$ 2,061
Term of restructuring program	2 years
Other Exit Costs	$ 64
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	24,000
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	27,000
Voluntary Separation/Retirement Program [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring cost incurred to date	13,373
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Current	3,076
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	1,049	2,560	9,918	13,753
Cash paid	(3,557)		(16,237)	(986)
Foreign currency translation	64		(34)	(150)
Balance at end of period	3,820		6,264	$ 12,617
Balance at beginning of period	$ 6,264	12,617	$ 12,617
Term of restructuring program	27 months
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 30,000
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Diodes Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	0	448
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Optoelectronic Components Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	0	178
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Resistors And Inductors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	851	1,018
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Capacitors Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	161	334
Global Cost Reduction Program [Member] | Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and severance costs	$ 37	$ 582
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program Extension [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Term of restructuring program	15 months
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program Extension [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 4,000
MOSFETs Enhanced Competitiveness Program Extension [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Expected Restructuring Costs	$ 8,000