Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Information [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Aclara Divestiture Share-based Compensation [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Inventories [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] INVENTORIES Business Segment Information [Abstract] SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlock Business Segment Information Debt [Abstract] DebtDisclosureTextBlock DEBT Income Tax Expense [Abstract] IncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock INCOME TAX EXPENSE Retirement Plans [Abstract] Retirement Plans [Abstract] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] RETIREMENT PLANS Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Statement [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Revenue, Net Net sales Net sales Net Sales Costs and expenses: Cost of goods and services sold Cost of sales Cost of sales Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of intangible assets Amortization expense related to intangible assets Interest expense, net Interest expense, net Less: Interest expense Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Other expenses (income), net Costs and Expenses, Total Total costs and expenses Earnings before income taxes Earnings before income tax Total income before income taxes Earnings before income taxes Income Tax Expenses Income tax expense Income tax expense from Continuing Operations Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent, Total Net earnings from continuing operations Net earnings from continuing operations Net earnings from continuing operations Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax, Total Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax expense of $5,713 in 2014 Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total Earnings (loss) on sale from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit) of $390 and $(11,747) in 2015 and 2014, respectively Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations Net (earnings) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic: Basic earnings (loss) per share: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Continuing operations Net earnings from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Continuing operations Net earnings from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share, Total Discontinued operations Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Outstanding Restricted Share Awards Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Inventories Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Debt Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments Aclara Technologies Llc [Member] Aclara Technologies LLC [Member] Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested, Total Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit) Discontinued Operation, Tax (Expense) Benefit from Provision for (Gain) Loss on Disposal Loss on sale from discontinued operations,net of tax expense (benefit) Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Award Type [Axis] Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Performance Accelerated Restricted Share Awards [Member] Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share (PARS) Awards [Member] Performance Accelerated Restricted Share Awards [Member] Non Employee Directors Plan [Member] Non-Employee Directors Plan [Member] Non Employee Directors Plan [Member] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain] Date Of Issuance Cut Off Period [Axis] Date Of Issuance Cut Off Period [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense Total income tax benefit recognized Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount Total share-based compensation cost Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Pretax compensation expense Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Total Total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Remaining weighted-average period for recognition of total unrecognized compensation cost Inventory, Current [Table] Inventory [Axis] Inventory [Domain] Inventory [Line Items] Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Finished goods Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves Work in process Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves Raw materials Inventories, net Total Inventories Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segment [Domain] Filtration Fluid Flow [Member] Filtration [Member] Filtration [Member] Filtration Fluid Flow [Member] Technical Packaging [Member] R F Shielding And Test [Member] Test [Member] Test [Member] R F Shielding And Test [Member] Utility Solutions [Member] Utility Solutions [Member] USG [Member] Utility Solutions [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Interest Expense, Interest Income, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interests, Net Consolidated EBIT Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Lender Name [Axis] Line Of Credit Facility Lender [Domain] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Available to borrow under the credit facility Cash and cash equivalents Cash on hand Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Incremental term loan Facility Secured By Pledge Of The Material Foreign Subsidiaries Share Equity Percentage of foreign subsidiaries' share equity Facility secured by pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries' share equity. Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Long-term Line of Credit Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage Credit facility fees Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Long-term Debt Revolving credit facility, including current portion Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Net earnings Net earnings Net earnings Net (loss) earnings Net earnings Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Translation adjustments, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial gains (losses) Net unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax Net unrealized gain(loss) on derivative instruments Interest rate swap, net of tax Income Tax Expense [Table] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Domain] State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] Brazil, Germany, India, Finland, China and the United Kingdom [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Scenario [Axis] General Discussion of Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Forward Contracts [Member] Forward Contracts One [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivative, Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,855 and $1,457 in 2010 and 2009, respectively Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,930 and $1,563 in 2016 and 2015, respectively Accounts receivable, Total Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $12,996 and $12,189, respectively Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $31,129 and $25,309 in 2016 and 2015, respectively Current portion of deferred tax assets Current portion of deferred tax assets Other Assets, Current Other current assets Total current assets Total current assets Land Land and land improvements Buildings and Improvements, Gross Buildings and leasehold improvements Machinery and Equipment, Gross Machinery and equipment Construction in Progress, Gross Construction in progress Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current maturities of long-term debt Accounts payable Accounts payable Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $31,694 and $19,547, respectively Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $35,266 and $49,779 in 2016 and 2015, respectively Accrued salaries Accrued salaries Current portion of deferred revenue Current portion of deferred revenue Accrued other expenses Accrued other expenses Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent Pension obligations Noncurrent liability Deferred tax liabilities Deferred tax liabilities Other liabilities Other liabilities Total long-term debt, less current portion Long-term debt Total long-term debt, less current portion Total liabilities Total liabilities Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 29,930,279 and 29,839,343 shares, respectively Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 30,364,183 and 30,358,864 shares in 2016 and 2015, respectively Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital RetainedEarnings Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax Stockholders' Equity before Treasury Stock Total stockholders' equity before Treasury Stock Less treasury stock, at cost: 3,346,986 and 3,357,046 common shares, respectively Less treasury stock, at cost (4,647,322 and 4,542,214 common shares in 2016 and 2015, respectively) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total shareholders’ equity Balance Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Progress payments netted against inventory for long-term contracts or programs Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, progress billings Amount Of Deferred Costs Related To Long Term Contracts Advance payments on long-term contracts, costs incurred Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares issued Common shares as presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and Amortization Share-based Compensation, Total Stock compensation expense Changes in current assets and liabilities Changes in assets and liabilities Changes in assets and liabilities Effect of deferred taxes Effect of deferred taxes on tax provision Pension contributions Pension contributions Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Productive Assets, Total Capital expenditures Capital Expenditures Payments to Acquire Software Additions to capitalized software Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Dividends paid Dividends paid Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchases of shares into treasury Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs Proceeds from (Payments for) other financing activities Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net cash provided (used) by financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents