Segment Information Information By Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 615,555	$ 573,651	$ 1,791,647	$ 1,638,613
Gross profit	176,178	181,763	551,371	512,883
Operating Income (Loss)	(497,252)	58,936	(399,078)	140,564
Total other income (expense)	(13,788)	(17,585)	(40,919)	(47,212)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	(511,040)	41,351	(439,997)	93,352
Depreciation and amortization	32,620	32,113	96,919	97,184
Goodwill Impairment	540,400	0	540,400	0
Itron North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	294,577	313,155	859,783	855,857
Gross profit	84,919	109,551	276,599	288,682
Operating Income (Loss)	38,018	62,274	124,550	149,694
Depreciation and amortization	11,497	11,484	33,844	34,212
Goodwill Impairment			0
Itron International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	320,978	260,496	931,864	782,756
Gross profit	91,259	72,212	274,772	224,201
Operating Income (Loss)	(525,411)	7,515	(492,700)	22,969
Depreciation and amortization	21,117	20,628	63,067	62,970
Goodwill Impairment			540,400
Corporate Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	(9,859)	(10,853)	(30,928)	(32,099)
Depreciation and amortization	$ 6	$ 1	$ 8	$ 2