The per annum equivalent of the increased quarterly stock dividend the last time the dividend was changed.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclaredAsPerAnnumEquivalent
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ppl_DistributionsAndCapitalContributionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The minimum percentage of adjusted equity to total capitalization ratio required to be eligible to pay dividends.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ppl_MinimumAdjustedEquityRatioToTotalCapitalizationToPayDividends
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow from the distribution of an entity's earnings in the form of dividends to the parent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ppl_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStockToParent
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of cash distributions paid to a common shareholder or unit-holder by a LLC or LP.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerCashDistributionsPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the declared dividend will be paid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendPayableDateToBePaidDayMonthAndYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The month and year (YYYY-MM) that the dividend to be paid was declared.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 32

-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_DividendsPayableDateDeclaredMonthAndYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearMonthItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from an entity that is affiliated with the entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3255-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

-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_ProceedsFromContributionsFromAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from parent as a source of financing that is recorded as additional paid in capital.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Financing Activities (Distributions and Capital Contributions) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Quarterly common stock dividend declaration date	2012-08
Dividend payable date of quarterly common stock dividend	Oct. 01, 2012
Current quarterly common stock dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.36	$ 0.35	$ 1.08	$ 1.05
Annualized current quarterly common stock dividend	$ 1.44
LGE [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Minimum adjusted equity to total capitalization in order to pay dividends				30.00%
KU [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Minimum adjusted equity to total capitalization in order to pay dividends				30.00%
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Dividends/distributions paid to parent/member				$ 733	$ 209
Capital contributions received from parent/member			193	472	361
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Dividends/distributions paid to parent/member				75	76
Capital contributions received from parent/member				150	56
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Dividends/distributions paid to parent/member				95	469
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Minimum adjusted equity to total capitalization in order to pay dividends				30.00%
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| KU [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Minimum adjusted equity to total capitalization in order to pay dividends				30.00%
Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Dividends/distributions paid to parent/member				47	55
Minimum adjusted equity to total capitalization in order to pay dividends				30.00%
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member]
Distributions And Capital Contributions [Line Items]
Dividends/distributions paid to parent/member				$ 68	$ 88
Minimum adjusted equity to total capitalization in order to pay dividends				30.00%