No definition available.

Name:	aep_AdjustedCostOfDebtSecurities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Adjusted cost of equity securities within the nuclear trusts

No definition available.

Name:	aep_AdjustedCostOfEquitySecurities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of (gain) loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income on the balance sheet to interest income on statement of income.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_AmountOfGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeToInterestIncomeOnStatementOfIncome
Namespace Prefix:	aep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	aep_DebtAndEquitySecuritiesWithinOtherTemporaryInvestmentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aep_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	aep_FairValueMeasurementsTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aep_
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Balance Type:	na
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Gross Realized Gains on Investment Sales.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_GrossRealizedGainsOnInvestmentSales
Namespace Prefix:	aep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Gross Realized Gains on Investment Sales On Short Term Investment.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_GrossRealizedGainsOnInvestmentSalesOnShortTermInvestment
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Gross Realized Losses on Investment Sales.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_GrossRealizedLossesOnInvestmentSales
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Gross Realized Losses On Investment Sales On Short Term Investment.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_GrossRealizedLossesOnInvestmentSalesOnShortTermInvestment
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Gross Unrealized Gains.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_GrossUnrealizedGains
Namespace Prefix:	aep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aep_NuclearTrustFundInvestmentsAbstract
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Balance Type:	na
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Gross appreciation or the gross loss in value of the unsold securities held at the end of the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseForItemsStillHeld
Namespace Prefix:	aep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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Proceeds From Investment Sales.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_ProceedsFromInvestmentSales
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Balance Type:	debit
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Purchases of Investments.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_PurchasesOfInvestments
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	aep_SecuritiesActivityWithinDecommissioningAndSnfTrustsAbstract
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Funds to pay for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and the decontaminating and decommissioning of nuclear facilities through the collection of revenues from rate payers.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_SpentNuclearFuelAndDecommissioningTrusts
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Temporary Impairments.

No definition available.

Name:	aep_TemporaryImpairments
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Accumulated appreciation or loss, net of tax, in value of the total of available-for-sale securities at the end of an accounting period.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 130

-Paragraph 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e681-108580

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e637-108580

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669686-108580

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
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Cost of the investment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtCost
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the excess of the cost (face amount, notional amount) of an investment (security, contract) over its fair value which deficiency has not been recognized in earnings of the entity.

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-INV

-Section Glossary

-IssueDate 2008-05-01

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

No definition available.

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Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtOtherDisclosuresAbstract
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The cash outflow for securities or other assets acquired, which qualify for treatment as an investing activity and are to be liquidated, if necessary, within the current operating cycle. Includes cash flows from securities classified as trading securities that were acquired for reasons other than sale in the short-term.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Section Appendix C

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15, 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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The cash inflow from sales of all investments, including securities and other assets, having ready marketability and intended by management to be liquidated, if necessary, within the current operating cycle. Includes cash flows from securities classified as trading securities that were acquired for reasons other than sale in the short-term.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15, 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Section Appendix C

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments
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Investments which are intended to be sold in the short term (usually less than one year or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) including trading securities, available-for-sale securities, held-to-maturity securities, and other short-term investments not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph g

-Article 7

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