Shareowners' Equity (Shares of GE Common Stock) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Shares Of GE Common Stock
Increase In Stock Repurchase Program Number Of Shares Authorized To Be Repurchased		$ 10,000	$ 10,000
Stock repurchased during period	73.6	432.6	248.6
Value of stock repurchased during period	1,901	10,375	5,185
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	13,200,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.06
Issued	11,693,841,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued	11,693,841,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued	11,693,841,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
In treasury	(1,636,461,000)us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares	(1,632,960,000)us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares	(1,288,216,000)us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	10,057,380,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding	10,060,881,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding	10,405,625,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		$ 35,000	$ 25,000

No authoritative reference available.

No definition available.

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Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

+ References

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- Definition

The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

+ References

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- Definition

Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

+ References

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Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

+ References

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

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- Definition

Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

+ References

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Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

+ References

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Amount of stock repurchase plan authorized.

+ References

No definition available.

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Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.

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