Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Oct. 31, 2011
Oct. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]      
Net sales $ 83,523,330 $ 73,339,591 $ 67,506,174
Cost of goods sold 51,970,244 47,048,370 43,746,220
Gross profit 31,553,086 26,291,221 23,759,954
Selling, general and administrative expenses 27,300,248 25,168,893 24,267,614
Royalty income, net (299,174) (783,230) (1,233,607)
Amortization of intangible assets 134,201 430,807 587,233
Impairment of goodwill     5,580,250
Income (loss) from operations 4,417,811 1,474,751 (5,441,536)
Other expense, net:      
Interest income 8,416 4,659 79,543
Interest expense (558,661) (624,829) (621,750)
Other, net 15,969 1,170 64,726
Other expense, net (534,276) (619,000) (477,481)
Income (loss) before income taxes 3,883,535 855,751 (5,919,017)
Income tax expense 1,257,335 398,252 91,290
Net income (loss) 2,626,200 457,499 (6,010,307)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (123,117) (208,817) (277,382)
Net income (loss) attributable to Optical Cable Corporation $ 2,749,317 $ 666,316 $ (5,732,925)
Net income (loss) attributable to Optical Cable Corporation per share: Basic and diluted $ 0.43 $ 0.11 $ (0.95)
Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.06 $ 0.04 $ 0.01