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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>0000886035-07-000016.txt : 20070216
<SEC-HEADER>0000886035-07-000016.hdr.sgml : 20070216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070216103855
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000886035-07-000016
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070214
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070216
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070216

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAWTON GREGORY E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001180942

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12983
		FILM NUMBER:		07629699

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8310 16TH ST
		CITY:			STURTEVANT
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53177
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8595728000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 TESSENEER DR
		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>2007-02-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001180942</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAWTON GREGORY E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4 TESSENEER DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HIGHLAND HEIGHTS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>41076</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock - Deferred</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26106</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By GCC Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>50.68</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-02-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock options granted February 14, 2007 which vests 100% three years from the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert J. Siverd, as Attorney-in-Fact for Gregory E. Lawton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-02-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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