Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2015	May 05, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GENERAL CABLE CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000886035
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 03, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,887,767
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer