Financial Instruments (Counterparty credit risk) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Counterparty credit risk
Exposure To Counter Parties	$ 822
Securities Held as Collateral, at Fair Value	9,970
Fair value of collateral posted to counterparties for derivataive obligations	477
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	563
Cash [Member]
Counterparty credit risk
Securities Held as Collateral, at Fair Value	3,215
Securities Held By Third Parties [Member]
Counterparty credit risk
Securities Held as Collateral, at Fair Value	$ 6,755	$ 10,574

The net exposure to counterparties, including interest due, net of collateral held.

No definition available.

Name:	ge_ExposureToCounterParties
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate fair value of assets that are already posted, at the end of the reporting period, as collateral for derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4H

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44D

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCreditRiskRelatedContingentFeaturesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount as of the balance sheet date of the fair value of derivative liabilities that in accordance with the entity's accounting policy were offset against the right to reclaim cash collateral under a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FIN39-1

-Paragraph 10B

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41678-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount (fair value) as of the balance sheet date of securities held that had been pledged by counterparties under financing and lending arrangements, pursuant to which the entity has the right by agreement or custom to sell or re-pledge such securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5086-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesHeldAsCollateralAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant