Defined Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Employer contributions, Maxwell SA Pension Plan	$ 200	$ 100	$ 500	$ 500
Additional employer contributions, expected to be paid during the remainder of fiscal year, Maxwell SA Pension Plan	100		$ 100
Minimum years of service, Korea Plan			1 year
Korea plan employer contributions	2		$ 4
Additional employer contributions expected to be paid during the remainder of fiscal year, Korea plan	$ 2		$ 2