COMMON SHARES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 5	$ 5
Common Stock Shares Authorized	380,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized	380,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Common Stock Shares Issued	333,359,172us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued	333,113,492us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Treasury Stock Shares	16,375,835us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares	17,796,672us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	316,983,337us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding	315,273,559us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 10	$ 10
Common Stock Shares Authorized	24,500,000	24,500,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	6,035,205	6,035,205
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	100	100
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	301	301
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 25	$ 25
Common Stock Shares Authorized	1,072,471	1,072,471
Common Stock Shares Issued	434,653	434,653

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Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

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The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

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Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

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Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

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Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.

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