Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable Net Current Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,823 and $12,617, respectively Accrued Liabilities Current Other accrued liabilities Other accrued liabilities, total Accumulated Available For Sale Securities [Member] Accumulated Available For Sale Securities [Member] Available For Sale Securities [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] Defined Benefit Plans [Member] Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Property, plant and equipment, other, accumulated depreciation Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Ending balance Beginning balance Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive loss Net AOCL, end of period Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Additional compensation expense due to repricing. Additional Compensation Expense Due To Repricing Additional compensation expense Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION Additional Paid In Capital Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Equity-based compensation Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) generated by operating activities: Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Income Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Net Tax benefit from shares issued under equity-based compensation plans Amount of adjustment to the business acquisition contingent consideration to reflect estimated fair value. Adjustment To Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration At Estimated Fair Value Adjustment to the estimated fair value of contingent consideration Alifabs Group [Member] Alifabs Group [Member] Alifabs Group [Member] Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Intangible Assets Amortization Amortization of purchased intangible assets Anixter International Inc. Anixter International Inc [Member] Anixter International Inc. [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Amount of outstanding equity based awards not included in computation of diluted earnings per share Asia Pacific [Member] Asia Pacific [Member] Asset Impairment Charges Impairments identified during the year Asset impairment charges Asset impairments Assets Non-guarantor subsidiaries, assets Total assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets Current Total current assets Assets Fair Value Disclosure Assets Available For Sale Equity Securities Amortized Cost Basis Cost basis of the investment Available For Sale Securities Available-for-sale securities Available For Sale Securities Change In Net Unrealized Holding Gain Loss Pretax gains recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains Gain on available-for-sale securities Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Broadband. Broadband [Member] Broadband [Member] Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Line Items] Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business combination contingent consideration arrangements level of minimum net revenues that trigger the maximum payout of the contingent consideration. Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Net Revenues Requirement Maximum level of payout reached Net sales target Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Range Of Outcomes Value High Payable of contingent consideration range, high Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Range Of Outcomes Value Low Payable of contingent consideration range, low Business combination contingent consideration as retention payments to employees of acquired entity on performance of sales targets. Business Combination Contingent Consideration As Retention Payments To Employees Of Acquired Entity On Performance Of Sales Targets Retention payments for employees Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability Estimated fair value Estimated fair value of contingent consideration Business combination contingent consideration payable payment year. Business Combination Contingent Consideration Payable Payment Year Contingent consideration payable year Business combination contingent consideration potential cash payments. Business Combination Contingent Consideration Potential Cash Payments Additional consideration paid Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] ACQUISITIONS Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Current assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Deferred Tax Assets Noncurrent Deferred taxes Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill Identifiable intangible assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Liabilities Less: Liabilities assumed Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Other Noncurrent Assets Noncurrent assets, excluding intangible assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired Goodwill And Liabilities Assumed Net Net acquisition cost Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] C A Canada [Member] Carlyle. Carlyle [Member] Carlyle [Member] Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Carrying Amount [Member] Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash payment to stock option holders. Cash Payment To Stock Option Holders Cash paid to stock option holders Central and Latin America. Central And Latin America [Member] Central and Latin America [Member] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Policy [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared Dividend declared Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Ending balance, Shares Beginning balance, Shares Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Value Common stock, $.01 par value: Authorized shares: 1,300,000,000; Issued and outstanding shares: 187,170,919 and 185,861,777 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Total comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract] Comprehensive income (loss): Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk By Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk By Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Percentage 1 Percentage of net sales to Anixter International Inc. and its affiliates Percentage of net sales to customers outside the US Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentrations of risk and related party transactions policy. Concentrations Of Risk And Related Party Transactions Policy [Text Block] Concentrations of Risk and Related Party Transactions Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Contingent Consideration By Type [Axis] Contingent Consideration by Type [Axis] Contingent consideration liability pre tax reduction in fair value. Contingent Consideration Liability Pre Tax Reduction In Fair Value Pretax reduction in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration payable Contingent consideration. Contingent Consideration [Member] Contingent consideration payable [Member] Contingent Consideration Type [Domain] Contingent Consideration Type [Domain] Contingent net revenues agreement. Contingent Net Revenues Agreement [Member] Contingent Net Revenues Agreement [Member] Contract Termination [Member] Contract Termination [Member] Cost Of Revenue Cost of sales Costs And Expenses Total operating costs and expenses Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Operating costs and expenses: Credit Concentration Risk [Member] Credit Concentration Risk [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument Carrying Amount Senior notes issued Total Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Interest rate on senior note Interest rate on senior notes Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument Maturity Date Maturity period of debt Senior notes, due date Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage Of Face Value Plus Accrued And Interest In Event Of Change Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage Of Face Value Plus Accrued And Interest In Event Of Change Percentage of face amount included accrued and unpaid interest Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage Of Principal Amount Redeemed Percentage of principal amount on debt instrument redeemed Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net Less: Original issue discount, net of amortization Debt issuance costs incurred and capitalized. Debt Issuance Costs Incurred And Capitalized Incurred cost Deferred Finance Costs Net Deferred financing fees Deferred Income Taxes And Other Assets Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred income taxes Deferred Revenue Current Deferred revenue Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Deferred income tax assets Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss Recognized actuarial loss (gain) Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Prior Service Cost Credit Amortization of prior service credits Defined Benefit Plan By Plan Asset Categories [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan, Asset Categories [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer Current contribution amount Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Expected Return On Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Net periodic benefit cost Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan Service Cost Service cost Defined Benefit Plans Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Current Fiscal Year Additional contribution amount for remaining fiscal period Depreciation Depreciation Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net Depreciation and amortization Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Net Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES Derivative Instruments Gain Loss By Hedging Relationship By Income Statement Location By Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Gain Loss Net Gain (Loss) Recognized on Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Derivative Liability Notional Amount Notional value Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Dividends Common Stock Cash Dividends paid Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share Basic Basic Earnings Per Share Diluted Diluted Earnings Per Share Policy [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate Statutory tax rate Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Eight point two five percentage senior notes due January two thousand nineteen. Eight Point Two Five Percentage Senior Notes Due January Two Thousand Nineteen [Member] 8.25% Senior Notes Due January 2019 [Member] Eligible Item Or Group For Fair Value Option [Axis] Eligible Item or Group for Fair Value Option [Axis] Employee related costs. Employee Related Costs [Member] Employee-Related Costs [Member] Employee Related Liabilities Current Compensation and employee benefit liabilities Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period For Recognition 1 Recognition period of unrecognized compensation costs Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Stock Options Total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock options and share unit awards Enterprise. Enterprise [Member] Enterprise [Member] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity wide accounts receivable major customers percentage. Entity Wide Accounts Receivable Major Customers Percentage Percentage of accounts receivable from Anixter Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Method Investee Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Equity Method Investment Net Sales Proceeds Equity method investment, net sales proceeds Equity Method Investment Number Of Shares Sold Equity Method Investment Number Of Shares Sold Equity method investment, number of shares sold Equity Method Investment Other Than Temporary Impairment Impairment related to the planned termination of equity method investments Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Equity method investment held by company Equity Method Investments Carrying value of equity method investments Equity Method Investments [Member] Investment In Equity Securities [Member] Equity Method Investments Shares Owned Equity Method Investments Shares Owned Number of shares owned Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Fair Value [Member] Europe, Middle East and Africa. Europe Middle East And Africa [Member] Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member] Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities Excess tax benefits from equity-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities Excess tax benefits from equity-based compensation Cash payments related to announced restructuring expected to be made within the next year Expected Future Cash Payments Less Than One Year Expected cash payment Cash payments related to announced restructuring expected to be made after the current year. Expected Future Cash Payments More Than One Year Additional expected cash payment Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Text Block] Carrying Amounts, Estimated Fair Values and Valuation Input Levels of the Company's Senior Notes, Senior Secured Term Loans and Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility Fair Value By Fair Value Hierarchy Level [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value By Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Inputs Discount For Lack Of Marketability Estimated marketability discount Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] Level 1 [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] Level 2 [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] Level 3 [Member] Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure [Text Block] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS