Name:	ge_ContractualObligationsToFundNewInvestmentsOrGuarantees
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Exposure related to an investment in a corporate debt fund that is classified as a unconsolidated variable interest entity.

No definition available.

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

Exposure related to an investment in a joint venture, which is classified as a unconsolidated variable interest entity, that purchases factored receivables.

No definition available.

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

Amount of our investment in an unconsolidated VIE that was related to the loans and advances made by the company to the entity.

No definition available.

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

Represents the reporting entity maximum exposure for unconsolidated variable interest entities.

No definition available.

Name:	ge_MaximumExposureInUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntities
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Investment in a non consolidated variable interest entity, including equity ownership and loans and advances.

No definition available.

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

The aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of other assets and investment securities of unconsolidated variable interest entities.

No definition available.

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

The amount paid by the limited partner of a VIE to the Company that was financed through third parties and recapitalization

No definition available.

Name:	ge_OutstandingDebtPaidByLimitedPartnerToCompanyFinancedThroughThirdPartiesAndRecapitalization
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The dollar value of the Company's partnership interest.

No definition available.

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

Total potential maximum exposure of revolving lines of credit for unconsolidated variable interst entites

No definition available.

Name:	ge_RevolvingLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Investments in unconsolidated VIEs consisting of our equity investment, any loans or advances, and investment securities.

No definition available.

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

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-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 AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Receivable

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6953735

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

Investments in real estate held solely for investment purposes (income production and capital appreciation).

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph d

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910