Financial Instruments (Counterparty credit risk) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Counterparty credit risk
Total Collateral	$ 6,977ge_CollateralFairValue
Fair value of collateral posted to counterparties for derivative obligations	502
Exposure To Counterparties Including Interest Net Collateral Excluding Derivatives	487
Derivative Liability After Collateral And Outstanding Interest Payments Excluding Embedded Derivatives	514
Cash [Member]
Counterparty credit risk
Total Collateral	3,709
Securities Held By Third Parties [Member]
Counterparty credit risk
Total Collateral	$ 3,268

The fair value of total collateral posted by counter parties in master netting agreements. Includes cash and security amounts.

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The net amount relating to our derivative liability, after consideration of collateral posted and outstanding interest payments, but excluding embedded derivatives

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of the Company's exposure to counterparties, including interest due, net of collateral held, but excluding embedded derivatives

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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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=35706170&loc=SL5624258-113959

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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