Summary of Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 36,174		$ 35,661		$ 106,585		$ 105,663
Corporate items and eliminations revenues	(902)		(758)		(2,710)		(982)
Corporate items and eliminations	(1,550)		(1,904)		(4,566)		(4,131)
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,357)		(2,445)		(7,116)		(7,648)
GE provision for income taxes	(463)		(348)		(1,172)		(1,166)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to GE common shareowners	3,480		3,282		10,053		10,186
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes					28		(335)
Consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company	3,537		3,191		10,081		9,851
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	1.00%		1.00%
Percent increase decrease in GE interest and other financial charges	(12.00%)				(16.00%)
Percent increase decrease in GE provision for income taxes	(21.00%)				(7.00%)
Percent increase decrease in Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	6.00%				(1.00%)
Favorable Unfavorable Change In Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	F				F
Percent increase decrease in net earnings attributable to the Company	11.00%				2.00%
Power And Water [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,375		6,498		18,176		17,038
Segment profit	1,191		1,289		3,212		3,095
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(2.00%)				7.00%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	(8.00%)				4.00%
Oil And Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,597		4,315		13,666		11,669
Segment profit	660		519		1,771		1,376
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	7.00%				17.00%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	27.00%				29.00%
Energy Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,813		1,828		5,341		5,557
Segment profit	59		18		133		64
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(1.00%)				(4.00%)
Favorable Unfavorable Change In Segment Profit	F				F
Aviation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,698		5,364		17,566		15,741
Segment profit	1,264		1,091		3,576		3,094
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	6.00%				12.00%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	16.00%				16.00%
Healthcare [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,485		4,304		13,166		13,083
Segment profit	727		665		2,027		1,986
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	4.00%				1.00%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	9.00%				2.00%
Transportation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,540		1,406		4,073		4,425
Segment profit	342		306		814		886
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	10.00%				(8.00%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	12.00%				(8.00%)
Appliances And Lighting [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,117		2,098		6,094		6,142
Segment profit	88		77		243		239
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	1.00%				(1.00%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	14.00%				2.00%
Industrial Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	26,625		25,813		78,082		73,655
Segment profit	4,331		3,965		11,776		10,740
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	3.00%				6.00%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	9.00%				10.00%
GE Capital [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,451		10,606		31,213		32,990
Segment profit	1,492		1,903		5,128		5,630
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(1.00%)				(5.00%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	(22.00%)				(9.00%)
Total Segment Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	37,076		36,419		109,295		106,645
Segment profit	5,823		5,868		16,904		16,370
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	2.00%				2.00%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	(1.00%)				3.00%
Corporate Items And Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(19.00%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	19.00%				(11.00%)
Favorable Unfavorable Change In Revenues					U
Subsidiaries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	27,753	[1]	27,436	[1]	82,240	[2]	79,846	[2]
GE interest and other financial charges	(377)	[1]	(338)	[1]	(1,142)	[2]	(988)	[2]
GE provision for income taxes	(416)	[1]	(344)	[1]	(1,143)	[2]	(1,065)	[2]
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to GE common shareowners	3,480	[1]	3,282	[1]	10,053	[2]	10,186	[2]
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(57)		91		28	[2]	(335)	[2]
Consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company	$ 3,537	[1]	$ 3,191	[1]	$ 10,081	[2]	$ 9,851	[2]

[1] Represents the adding together of all affiliated companies except General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC or Financial Services), which is presented on a one-line basis.

[2] Represents the adding together of all affiliated companies except General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC or Financial Services), which is presented on a one-line basis.