Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011
Product Warranty Expense, Change	$ 5.7	$ 2.7
Warranty charge	4.0
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 14.7
Itron Sistemas e Technologia Ltda. Employment Cases [Member]
Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs	300
Itron Sistemas e Technologia Ltda. Employment Cases [Member] | Employees of Previous Service Provider Hired Upon Agreement to Provide Installation and Maintenance Services to a Customer [Member]
Entity Number of Employees			800
Itron Sistemas e Technologia Ltda. Employment Cases [Member] | Employees Terminated Upon the Termination of Installation and Maintenance Services Contract with Customer [Member]
Entity Number of Employees				870