Discontinued Operations Income Statement and Balance Sheet Summary (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Dec. 13, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		$ 19,088	$ 2,601	$ 22,120	$ 8,393
Electrical
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net sales		9,127	69,902	72,139	139,341
Operating income (loss)		(10,102)	5,073	(4,873)	13,181
Gain on disposal	34,500	34,459	0	34,459	0
Income tax expense		5,269	2,472	7,466	4,788
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		$ 19,088	$ 2,601	$ 22,120	$ 8,393

Amount of gain (loss), before tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

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Tax effect allocated to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the tax effects of the following: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Amount of operating income or loss attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period.

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Amount of sales or other form of revenues attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items after deduction or consideration of the amount allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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