Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net loss (Numerator):
Net loss	$ (571)	$ (5,163)	$ (1,524)	$ (6,587)
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted average common shares outstanding	4,420,000	4,406,000	4,419,000	4,404,000
Shares used in basic computation	4,420,000	4,406,000	4,419,000	4,404,000
Common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options (treasury stock method)	0	0	0	0
Shares used in diluted computation	4,420,000	4,406,000	4,419,000	4,404,000
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted net loss attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders	$ (0.13)	$ (1.17)	$ (0.34)	$ (1.50)