COMMON SHARES (Details) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 5	$ 5
Common Stock Shares Authorized	380,000,000	380,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	333,878,402	333,862,615
Treasury Stock Shares	16,671,366	16,671,366
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	317,207,036	317,191,249
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