Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Jan. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012
Fair Value Inputs, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate		3.00%
Sensitivity Analysis, Increase In Discount Rate (in Basis Points)							1.00%
Sensitivity Analysis, Decrease In Long-term Growth Rate (in Basis Points)							1.00%
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		12 years 109 days		12 years 146 days
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements (in Dollars)	$ 5,100,000	$ 5,100,000
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized (in Dollars)				(6,000,000)
Advertising Expense (in Dollars)		1,700,000		1,900,000		1,200,000
Shipping, Handling and Transportation Costs (in Dollars)		6,200,000		5,900,000		10,900,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax (in Dollars)		8,500,000		900,000		3,300,000
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) (in Dollars)		$ 2,217,000		$ 2,888,000		$ 1,542,000
Electronics (Non-Silicon) Unit [Member]
Excess of Fair Value Over Carrying Value of Invested Capital							66.00%
Automotive (Excluding Cole Hersee) Unit [Member]
Excess of Fair Value Over Carrying Value of Invested Capital							113.00%
Cole Hersee Unit [Member]
Excess of Fair Value Over Carrying Value of Invested Capital							59.00%
Relay Unit [Member]
Excess of Fair Value Over Carrying Value of Invested Capital							99.00%
Electronics (Silicon) Unit [Member]
Excess of Fair Value Over Carrying Value of Invested Capital							96.00%
Custom Products Unit [Member]
Excess of Fair Value Over Carrying Value of Invested Capital							247.00%
Fuse Unit [Member]
Excess of Fair Value Over Carrying Value of Invested Capital							119.00%
All Other Segments [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		12.70%
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		21 years
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		7 years
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		9 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		7 years
Tooling [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		5 years
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		3 years
Minimum [Member] | Trademarks and Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		5 years
Minimum [Member] | Patents, Licenses and Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		7 years
Minimum [Member] | Distribution Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		3 years
Maximum [Member] | Trademarks and Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		20 years
Maximum [Member] | Patents, Licenses and Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		12 years
Maximum [Member] | Distribution Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		20 years
Patents, Licenses and Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		11 years 292 days	[1]	11 years 328 days	[1]
Distribution Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		13 years 219 days	[2]	13 years 292 days	[2]

[1] Increase to gross carrying value for patents, licenses and software in 2012 is related to the preliminary Accel acquisition purchase price allocation discussed in Note 2. Other changes are primarily due to the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments.

[2] Increase to gross carrying value for distribution network in 2012 is related to the preliminary Accel acquisition purchase price discussed in Note 2. Other changes are primarily due to the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments.