Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Goodwill Balances) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 65,526
Acquisitions	4,559
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(97)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	69,988
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	4,461
Power
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	16,736
Acquisitions	3,648
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(4)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	20,381
GE Renewable Energy
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	2,580
Acquisitions	314
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(8)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,886
Oil & Gas
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	10,594
Acquisitions	1
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(80)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	10,515
Aviation
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	8,567
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	26
Goodwill, Ending Balance	8,593
Healthcare
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	17,353
Acquisitions	162
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(47)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	17,467
Transporation
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	851
Acquisitions	25
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	10
Goodwill, Ending Balance	885
Energy Connections & Lighting
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	6,441
Acquisitions	63
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(211)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	6,293
Capital
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	2,370
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,369
Corporate
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	34
Acquisitions	346
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	218
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 598

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

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+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 350
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
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+ References

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