Segment Information Schedule of income from continuing operations before income taxes by operating segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ (13,930)	$ (1,183)	$ (182,323)	$ (1,427)
Operating income	9,660	9,225	(153,085)	37,650
Other income (expense), net	(867)	(618)	354	(689)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	8,793	8,607	(152,731)	36,961
Precision Power Products and Inverters [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	23,590	10,408	29,238	39,077
Precision Power Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	30,600	22,882	90,335	64,455
Inverters [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ (7,010)	$ (12,474)	$ (61,097)	$ (25,378)