Defined benefit plan employee vested minimum period

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_DefinedBenefitPlanEmployeeVestedMinimumPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan Employee Vested Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dpl_DefinedBenefitPlanEmployeeVestedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dpl_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlanPercent
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Cash, Range Maximum

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dpl_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsCashRangeMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Cash, Range Minimum

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dpl_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsCashRangeMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unfunded Plan Liability

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dpl_UnfundedPlanLiability
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For defined benefit pension plans, the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or nonvested) attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered before a specified date and based on employee service and compensation (if applicable) before that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels. For plans with flat-benefit or nonpay-related pension benefit formulas, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation are the same.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Accumulated Benefit Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503844

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph e

-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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (k)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 264

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph j

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512013

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan in the current remaining fiscal period. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Target allocation maximum percentage of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocationsRangeMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Target allocation minimum percentage of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocationsRangeMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended														1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 27, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013 DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 SERP [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 SERP [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Cash Balance Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Cash Balance Plan [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Defined Benefit Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Defined Benefit Plan [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pension [Member]	Nov. 27, 2011 Pension [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pension [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Pension [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pension [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pension [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Pension [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Postretirement [Member]	Nov. 27, 2011 Postretirement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Postretirement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Postretirement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Postretirement [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Postretirement [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Postretirement [Member] DP&L [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Debt Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Defined Benefit Plan Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan employee vested percentage											100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Defined benefit plan employee vested minimum period, years											three	three	five	five
Unfunded liabilities related to agreements for retirements benefits and the SEDCRP							$ 1.1	$ 0.8	$ 1.1	$ 0.8
Contribution to the defined benefit plan			40.0	40.0	40.0
Accumulated benefit obligation for our defined benefit pension plans	382.5		355.5				382.5	355.5
Expected rate of return on plan assets															8.00%	7.00%	7.00%	8.50%	7.00%	8.00%	8.50%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Estimated contribution to the defined benefit plans next year																	$ 0.4		$ 0.4					$ 2.1		$ 2.1
Funded status of defined benefit pension plan	116.56%	116.56%				116.56%	116.56%
Target allocations for plan assets, fixed income securities, minimum																													30.00%	30.00%	0.00%
Target allocations for plan assets, fixed income securities, maximum																													65.00%	80.00%	25.00%
Target allocations for plan assets, cash, minimum	0.00%
Target allocations for plan assets, cash, maximum	10.00%