-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UQdb+fjjdxJlBzKikUxJmpY2cngtkWiG0pwRP1ZYHmONEDDI6JOIiIedmA1a7ydr
 gDnbjbglce0Wn8mI5L0l2A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-08-011740.txt : 20081223
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-08-011740.hdr.sgml : 20081223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081223135204
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-08-011740
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081222
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081223
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081223

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:			FORET MICKEY P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001225114

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-01424
		FILM NUMBER:		081266663

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1102
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55440-1101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9529388080

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13625 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE (MS067)
		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>2008-12-22</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001225114</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FORET MICKEY P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>13625 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINNEAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55344</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Convertible Notes due 2013</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.091</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>213</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-06-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>213</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1779</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person acquired variable rate convertible unsecured subordinated notes with a face value of $6,000 at a price of $2,910 (48.5% of face value). The notes mature on June 15, 2013 and have a variable interest rate equal to 6-month LIBOR plus 0.375%. Holders of these notes may convert all or some of their notes into shares of ADC common stock at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price of $28.091 per share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey D. Pflaum, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Foret</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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