2.4.0.82403402 - Disclosure - Certain Balance Sheet Components Accounts Receivable, Net (Details)truefalseIn Thousands, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$I2013Q2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000780571instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$I2012Q4http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000780571instant2012-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 3us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Accounts Receivable, Net (Line Items]2false 4us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrentus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse330956000330956USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse329352000329352USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.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 210.5-02.3-4) -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 02 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 false2Trade receivables (net of allowance of $6,948 and $7,372)3false 4us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrentus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse4128400041284falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4597400045974falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount received for services rendered and products shipped, but not yet billed, for non-contractual agreements due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.No definition available.false2Unbilled receivables4false 4us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrentus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotalLabel1truefalsefalse372240000372240USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse375326000375326USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount due to the entity within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from outside sources, including trade accounts receivable, notes and loans receivable, as well as any other types of receivables, net of allowances established for the purpose of reducing such receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3,4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 true2Total accounts receivable, netfalseCertain Balance Sheet Components Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) (USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.itron.com/role/CertainBalanceSheetComponentsAccountsReceivableNetDetails24