Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt offering costs	$ 220,000
Accumulated amortization	(158,889)
Net	61,111	116,111
Goodwill	12,909,273
Accumulated amortization	(2,116)
Net	12,907,157	12,907,157
Technology rights
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	303,664
Accumulated amortization	(71,151)
Intangible assets, net	232,513	252,395
Patents, net
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	6,646
Accumulated amortization	(831)
Intangible assets, net	5,815	6,313
Patent pending technology
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	551,559
Accumulated amortization
Intangible assets, net	551,559	551,559
Customer List
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	1,857,000
Accumulated amortization
Intangible assets, net	1,857,000	1,857,000
CUI Japan
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	139,201
Accumulated amortization
Intangible assets, net	139,201	139,201
Other intangible assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	107,421
Accumulated amortization	(42,829)
Intangible assets, net	64,529	33,090
CUI | Tradenames and Trademarks
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	4,892,856
Accumulated amortization
Intangible assets, net	4,892,856	4,892,856
V-Infinity | Tradenames and Trademarks
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross	1,095,400
Accumulated amortization	(54,770)
Intangible assets, net	$ 1,040,630	$ 1,373,828