EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Consolidated
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations for per-share calculation									$ 416	$ (20,997)	$ (8,270)
Preferred stock dividends									(460)	(447)	(436)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation									(45)	(21,445)	(8,706)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation									(5,396)	(1,372)	(251)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation									$ (5,440)	$ (22,809)	$ (8,944)
Average equivalent shares
Shares of GE common stock outstanding (in shares)									8,724	8,691	8,687
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options) and warrants (in shares)									0	0	0
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)									8,724	8,691	8,687
Per-share amounts
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.15)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.10	$ 0.06	$ (2.64)	$ 0.08	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ (2.47)	$ (1.00)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.02)	(0.93)	0.03	0.30	0.01	0.02	(0.01)	(0.17)	(0.62)	(0.16)	(0.03)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	0.06	(1.08)	(0.01)	0.40	0.07	(2.62)	0.07	(0.14)	$ (0.62)	$ (2.62)	$ (1.03)
Consolidated
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations for per-share calculation									$ 416	$ (20,997)	$ (8,270)
Preferred stock dividends									(460)	(447)	(436)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation									(45)	(21,445)	(8,706)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation									(5,396)	(1,372)	(251)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation									$ (5,440)	$ (22,809)	$ (8,944)
Average equivalent shares
Shares of GE common stock outstanding (in shares)									8,724	8,691	8,687
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options) and warrants (in shares)									0	0	0
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)									8,724	8,691	8,687
Per-share amounts
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.08	(0.15)	(0.03)	0.10	0.06	(2.64)	0.08	0.03	$ (0.01)	$ (2.47)	$ (1.00)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.93)	0.03	0.30	0.01	0.02	(0.01)	(0.17)	(0.62)	(0.16)	(0.03)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ (1.08)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.41	$ 0.07	$ (2.62)	$ 0.07	$ (0.14)	$ (0.62)	$ (2.62)	$ (1.03)
Outstanding anti-dilutive stock awards not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)									450	420	119