-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 KvEOqnh1G1I/v6GSocui+Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001415196-10-000002.txt : 20100407
<SEC-HEADER>0001415196-10-000002.hdr.sgml : 20100407
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100407154711
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001415196-10-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100406
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100407
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100407

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Lampert Gregory J.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001415196

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12983
		FILM NUMBER:		10737030

	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>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-04-06</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001415196</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lampert Gregory J.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4 TESSENEER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></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>EVP &amp; CEO North America</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-04-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>592</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>28.59</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>46069</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restrictions on a portion of the restricted stock granted to Mr. Lampert on April 6, 2005 have lapsed. Of the total 1,979 shares that have vested, Mr. Lampert has elected to transfer 592 of these shares to General Cable to satisfy tax withholding.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/S/ Robert J. Siverd,  Attorney-in-Fact for Gregory J. Lampert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-04-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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