Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Product	$ 129,475	$ 152,699	$ 107,441
Service	4,542	3,788	3,596
Total revenues	134,017	156,487	111,037
Cost of revenues:
Cost of product	75,391	87,063	59,722
Cost of service	2,171	2,262	2,464
Total cost of revenues	77,562	89,325	62,186
Gross profit	56,455	67,162	48,851
Operating expenses:
Product development	30,009	34,755	34,762
Sales and marketing	21,460	25,719	25,062
General and administrative	15,050	17,897	17,647
Restructuring charges	1,176	0	1,212
Total operating expenses	67,695	78,371	78,683
Income (loss) from operations	(11,240)	(11,209)	(29,832)
Interest and other income (expense), net	(362)	6	393
Interest expense on lease financing obligations	(1,360)	(1,468)	(1,572)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	(12,962)	(12,671)	(31,011)
Income tax expense	219	329	301
Net income (loss)	(13,181)	(13,000)	(31,312)
Net loss attributable to non controlling interest	363	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders	$ (12,818)	$ (13,000)	$ (31,312)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$ (0.30)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.76)
Diluted	$ (0.30)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.76)
Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:
Basic	42,650	42,083	41,365
Diluted	42,650	42,083	41,365