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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 UMJUihC6mPw/X2a05Lw21w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-08-011370.txt : 20081217
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-08-011370.hdr.sgml : 20081217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081217122723
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-08-011370
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000061478
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS [3661]
		IRS NUMBER:				410743912
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13625 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9529388080

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13625 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MAGNETIC CONTROLS CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19850605

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MATHEWS JAMES G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245320

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-01424
		FILM NUMBER:		081254271

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NORTHWEST AIRLINES CORP
		STREET 2:		2700 LONE OAK PARKWAY DEPT A6030
		CITY:			EAGAN
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55121
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9529170940

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
		STREET 2:		13625 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000061478</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ADCT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245320</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MATHEWS JAMES G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>13625 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINNEAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55344</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>VP &amp; CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.85</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20622</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20622</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20622</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.85</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>129378</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>129378</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>129378</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant date 12/15/08; incentive stock options that vest one-quarter per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Any unvested portions are subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant date 12/15/08; non-qualified stock options that vest one-quarter per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Any unvested portions are subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James G. Mathews</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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