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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000886035-07-000012.txt : 20070213
<SEC-HEADER>0000886035-07-000012.hdr.sgml : 20070213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070213133513
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000886035-07-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070207
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070213

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROBINSON BRIAN J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001385812

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12983
		FILM NUMBER:		07607938

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(859) 572-8483

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		4 TESSENEER DRIVE
		CITY:			HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41076

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL CABLE CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000886035
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DRAWING AND INSULATING NONFERROUS WIRE [3357]
		IRS NUMBER:				061398235
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 TESSENEER DRIVE
		CITY:			HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41076
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8595728000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 TESSENEER DRIVE
		CITY:			HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41076
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-02-07</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000886035</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL CABLE CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BGC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001385812</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROBINSON BRIAN J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4 TESSENEER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HIGHLAND HEIGHTS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>41076</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President &amp; CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>509</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>42.77</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15377</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>253</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>42.77</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15124</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restrictions on a portion of the restricted stock granted to Mr. Robinson on January 27, 2004 have lapsed.  Of the total 1,700 shares that have vested, Mr. Robinson has elected to transfer 509 of these shares to General Cable to satisfy tax withholding.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restrictions on a portion of the restricted stock granted to Mr. Robinson on February 7, 2006 have lapsed.  Of the total 847 shares that have vested, Mr. Robinson has elected to transfer 253 of these shares to General Cable to satisfy tax withholding.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These shares are held by Mr. Robinson as custodian for his children.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert J. Siverd, as Attorney-in-Fact for Brian J. Robinson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-02-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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