Total Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Nov. 24, 2003 5.75% Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 5.75% Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 5.75% Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized, shares	200,000,000
Preferred stock authorized, shares	25,000,000
Preferred stock, value, issued	$ 3,800,000	[1]	$ 3,800,000	[1]	$ 2,070,000
Debt Instrument interest rate					5.75%
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	76,002	[1]	76,202	[1]		76,002	76,202
Fees paid and expenses					4,200,000
Underwriting discount					3,400,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share	$ 50	[1]	$ 50	[1]		$ 50.00
Conversion price per share	$ 10.004
Percent of Matching and Retirement Contribution of Compensation Paid	6.00%
Investments in mutual funds, percent	89.00%
Investments in General Cable stock fund	11.00%
Market value of mutual fund investments, nonvested and subsequently vested stock and restricted stock in the rabbi trust	31,900,000		39,300,000
Market value of the assets held by the rabbi trust classified as other non-current assets								15,200,000	16,000,000
Amounts payable to the plan participants classified as other liabilities	$ 16,900,000		$ 18,300,000

[1] See Note 22 -Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements