Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Note 1:    Basis of Presentation

Business Description

Belden Inc. (the Company, Belden, we, us, or our) designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of cable, connectivity, and networking products in markets including industrial, enterprise, broadcast, and consumer electronics. Our products provide for the transmission of signals for data, sound, and video applications.

Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include Belden Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions in consolidation.

Foreign Currency

For international operations with functional currencies other than the United States dollar, we translate assets and liabilities at current exchange rates; we translate income and expenses using average exchange rates. We report the resulting translation adjustments, as well as gains and losses from certain affiliate transactions, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity. We include exchange gains and losses on transactions in operating income.

Reporting Periods

Our fiscal year and fiscal fourth quarter both end on December 31. Our fiscal first, second, and third quarters have historically each ended on the last Sunday falling on or before their respective calendar quarter-end. Beginning in 2010, our fiscal first quarter ends on the Sunday falling closest to 91 days after December 31. Our fiscal second and third quarters each have 91 days. Our fiscal fourth quarter continues to end on December 31.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and operating results and the disclosure of contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We make significant estimates with respect to the collectability of receivables, the valuation of inventory, the realization of deferred tax assets, the valuation of goodwill and other long-lived assets, the valuation of contingent liabilities, the calculation of share-based compensation, the calculation of pension and other postretirement benefits expense, and the valuation of acquired businesses.

Reclassifications

We have made certain reclassifications to the 2010 and 2009 Consolidated Financial Statements with no impact to reported net income (loss) in order to conform to the 2011 presentation.