Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]

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Changes in goodwill related to dispositions, currency exchange and other effects.

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The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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The change during the reporting period in the carrying value of goodwill. The change could be the result of new goodwill acquired, goodwill impairment during the period, goodwill written off related to the sale of a business or other adjustments to goodwill.

+ References

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The increase (decrease) in the recorded value of goodwill for foreign currency translation adjustments and purchase accounting adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts (original costs for current and prior period additions adjusted for impairment, if any) as of the balance sheet date of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

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Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 70,536		$ 64,388
Intangible assets subject to amortization	11,693		9,867
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	105		104
Total	11,798		9,971
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	70,536		64,388
Acquisitions		5,235
Dispositions, currency exchange and other		913
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	6,148
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	1,100
Energy Infrastructure [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	18,143		12,893
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	18,143		12,893
Acquisitions		5,011
Dispositions, currency exchange and other		239
Aviation [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	6,003		6,073
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	6,003		6,073
Acquisitions		0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other		(70)
Healthcare [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	16,532		16,338
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	16,532		16,338
Acquisitions		134
Dispositions, currency exchange and other		60
Transportation [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	552		554
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	552		554
Acquisitions		0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other		(2)
Home and Business Solutions [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	1,133		1,022
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,133		1,022
Acquisitions		90
Dispositions, currency exchange and other		21
GE Capital [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	28,173		27,508
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	28,173		27,508
Acquisitions		0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other		665
Acquisition Dresser Inc [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	1,904
Acquisition Wellstream PLC [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	834
Acquisition Lineage Power Holdings Inc [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	282
Acquisition John Wood Group PLC [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	$ 1,991