Supplemental Cost Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Income Statement Elements
Research and development expenditures	$ 4,750		$ 4,520		$ 4,601
Research and development funding from customers	711		680		788
Leases, Operating
Rental expense under operating leases	1,513		1,531		1,385
Amounts payable over the next five years
2014	854
2015	752
2016	674
2017	569
2018	451
Payments to participants are recorded as costs of services sold	820		594		612
Payments to participants are recorded as costs of goods sold	2,613		2,507		1,996
Cost And Expenses Other	35,143		35,897		36,841
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net	9,762		9,192		8,986
Aviation [Member]
Amounts payable over the next five years
Participant fees and other income	44		36		12
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Leases, Operating
Rental expense under operating leases	(135)		(142)		(165)
Amounts payable over the next five years
2014	(59)
2015	(42)
2016	(34)
2017	(24)
2018	(16)
Subsidiaries [Member]
Leases, Operating
Rental expense under operating leases	1,220		1,134		958
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases	3,087
Amounts payable over the next five years
2014	660
2015	581
2016	523
2017	440
2018	354
Cost And Expenses Other	16,105	[1]	17,671	[1]	17,554	[1]
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net	2,449	[1]	2,291	[1]	2,068	[1]
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Leases, Operating
Rental expense under operating leases	428		539		592
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases	1,427
Amounts payable over the next five years
2014	253
2015	213
2016	185
2017	153
2018	113
Selling, general and administrative expenses	12,463		12,023		13,009
Cost And Expenses Other	19,776		18,924		19,927
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net	$ 7,313		$ 6,901		$ 6,918

[1] (a)        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. See Note 1.