XML 74 R55.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.6.0.2

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) $ in Millions																	1 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2016 patent	Nov. 01, 2016 patent	Aug. 11, 2016 patent	Apr. 01, 2016 patent	Oct. 21, 2015 patents	May 01, 2012 USD ($) patents	Feb. 03, 2011 USD ($)	May 05, 2010 patents	Dec. 18, 2009 patents	Nov. 04, 2009 patent patents	Dec. 22, 2008	Dec. 12, 2008 USD ($)	Nov. 07, 2008 patents	May 23, 2008 patents	Oct. 10, 2006 USD ($)	Oct. 20, 2004 patents	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 patent	Feb. 28, 2014 USD ($) patent patents	Dec. 31, 2012 patents	Apr. 30, 2012 patents	May 31, 2010 patents	Feb. 28, 2010 USD ($) patents	Dec. 31, 2016
Counterclaims [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Three Counterclaim [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number								2														1
Counterclaims [Member] | Patent Infringment Claim Five [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value | $						$ 2.4
Gain Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed upon, Number						5
Judicial Ruling [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, Patents Found Infringed upon, Number																					2
Judicial Ruling [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Two Counterclaim [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Patents Found Not Infringed, Number																					1
Judicial Ruling [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Four [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Patents Found Not Infringed, Number																				4
Judicial Ruling [Member] | Patent Infringment Claim Five [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, Patents Found Infringed upon, Number | patent																		1
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Period for petition for further stay of permanent injunction											90 days
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Two [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed upon, Number														3
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Two Counterclaim [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patents withdrawn from infringement claims									1
Number of patents remaining in infringement claims									2												2
Percent of revenue impacted by patents involved in litigation																								0.50%
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number													3
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Three Counterclaim [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patents withdrawn from infringement claims								1
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Four [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value | $																							$ 19.0
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number																							4
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringment Claim Five [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patents withdrawn from infringement claims						1
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number						4
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringment Claim Six [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, Patents Found Infringed upon, Number					2
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Seven [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number | patent				1
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Eight [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number | patent			5
Number of Patents Seeking Declaration of Non-Infringement in Filed Infringement Claims | patent			3
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Nine [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed upon, Number | patent		6
Pending Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Ten [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number | patent	6
Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim One [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, Patents Found Infringed upon, Number																4
Litigation Settlement, Amount | $							$ 12.9
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value | $												$ 6.1			$ 34.0
Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member] | Patent Infringement Claim Three [Member]
Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount | $																	$ 139.8		$ 105.0
Number of Patents in Infringement Case, Unenforceable | patent										1									1
Gain Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed upon, Number										2
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number																			2

X

- Definition

Gain and Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	powi_GainAndLossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	powi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Loss Contingency, Percent of Revenue Impacted by Patents Involved in Litigation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	powi_LossContingencyPercentOfRevenueImpactedByPatentsInvolvedInLitigation
Namespace Prefix:	powi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of Patents Remaining in Infringement Claims

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	powi_NumberOfPatentsRemainingInInfringementClaims
Namespace Prefix:	powi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of Patents Withdrawn from Infringement Claims

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	powi_NumberOfPatentsWithdrawnFromInfringementClaims
Namespace Prefix:	powi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of Patents Seeking Declaration of Non-Infringement in Filed Infringement Claims

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	powi_NumberofPatentsSeekingDeclarationofNonInfringementinFiledInfringementClaims
Namespace Prefix:	powi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of Patents in Infringement Case, Unenforceable

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	powi_NumberofPatentsinInfringementCaseUnenforceable
Namespace Prefix:	powi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Period for Petition for Further Stay of Permanent Injunction

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	powi_PeriodforPetitionforFurtherStayofPermanentInjunction
Namespace Prefix:	powi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of entity's patents that another entity has allegedly infringed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedUponNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of entity's patents that another entity was found to have infringed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainContingencyPatentsFoundInfringedUponNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of another entity's patents that the entity has allegedly infringed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of another entity's patents that the entity was found not to have infringed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsFoundNotInfringedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=powi_CounterclaimsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimThreeCounterclaimMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringmentClaimFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimTwoCounterclaimMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringmentClaimSixMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimSevenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimEightMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimNineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimTenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis=us-gaap_PositiveOutcomeOfLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=powi_PatentInfringementClaimThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: