Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue			$ 6,867,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Costs of Goods Sold			4,605,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense			3,792,000
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax			(1,530,000)
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation			0
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0		(1,530,000)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interest, net of income taxes	0		(117,000)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders, net of income taxes	0		(1,413,000)
Proceeds from divestiture of Grid business		4,900,000	0
Contingent consideration discontinued operations	1,000,000
Revenue targets to earn contingent consideration	50,000,000
Fair value of contingent consideration receivable	$ 0