Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	$ 115,505	$ 101,327	$ 237,703	$ 166,452
MOSFETS Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	32,522	37,864	61,932	56,154
Diodes Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	37,208	30,121	70,008	51,956
Optoelectronic Components Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	18,330	17,454	34,687	34,115
Resistors And Inductors Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	51,757	48,497	105,861	93,737
Capacitors Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	38,584	27,111	86,917	44,873
Vishay Precision Group Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	0	10,871	0	18,949
Executive Compensation Charge [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	(3,889)	0	(3,889)	0
Unallocated Amount to Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	$ (59,007)	$ (70,591)	$ (117,813)	$ (133,332)