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ACCOUNTING POLICIES - GENERAL (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Convertible Debt   $ 177,800  
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) $ 1,817,700    
Characteristics of Securitizations or Asset-backed Financing Arrangements that are Accounted for as Sale WESCO maintains control of the receivables transferred pursuant to its accounts receivable securitization program (the “Receivables Facility”); therefore, the transfers do not qualify for “sale” treatment. As a result, the transferred receivables remain on the balance sheet, and WESCO recognizes the related secured borrowing. The expenses associated with the Receivables Facility are reported as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss).    
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data The interest rate used to discount future estimated cash flows is determined using the Canadian Institute of Actuaries ("CIA") methodology, which references yield curve information provided by Fiera Capital.    
Self Insurance Reserve $ 9,500 9,800  
Decrease in projected benefit obligation due to increase in discount rate of one quarter percent 4,700    
Increase in Projected Benefit Obligation due to Decrease in Discount Rate of One Quarter Percent 5,100    
change in net periodic benefit cost for change in discount rate 300    
Sales Revenue, Services, Net 27,100 35,100 $ 31,000
Shipping, Handling and Transportation Costs 57,900 59,400 63,600
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current 22,007 22,587  
Provision for Doubtful Accounts 5,900 6,100 5,900
Inventory Valuation Reserves 27,300 24,700  
Inventory Write-down 7,300 8,600 6,200
General and Administrative Costs in Inventory, Amount Incurred 65,300 65,000  
Increase in deferred charges 6,000    
Deferred Finance Costs, Net 16,508 17,699  
Stock-based compensation expense $ 12,493 $ 12,899 $ 14,766
Plan Option 1      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent 2.00%    
Discount rate 3.90% 4.20%  
Other Pension Plan [Member]      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent 4.00%    
Minimum      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life 2 years    
Maximum      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life 20 years    
Convertible Debt      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure   $ 514,200