Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill Rollforward) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 77,648
Acquisitions	1,322
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(1,111)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	77,859
Power And Water [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	8,822
Acquisitions	21
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(26)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	8,817
Oil And Gas [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	10,516
Acquisitions	261
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(32)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	10,745
Energy Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	4,748
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(34)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	4,714
Aviation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	9,103
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(19)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	9,084
Healthcare [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	16,643
Acquisitions	1,008
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(61)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	17,590
Transportation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	1,012
Acquisitions	1
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(34)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	979
Appliances And Lighting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	606
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(376)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	230
GE Capital [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	26,195
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(529)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	25,666
Corporate Items And Eliminations [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	3
Acquisitions	31
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 34