<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>227</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>387</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>71</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002500 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticalParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Compehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCompehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Compehensive Loss</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1007000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/FinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Property and equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Significant Customers</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SignificantCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Customers</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/Goodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Warranty Reserves</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/WarrantyReserves</Role>
      <ShortName>Warranty Reserves</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Related Parties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/RelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Parties</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Restructuring</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/Restructuring</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Valuation and Qualifying accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Valuation and Qualifying accounts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Segment Disclosure</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SegmentDisclosure</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Disclosure</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Joint Venture</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/JointVenture</Role>
      <ShortName>Joint Venture</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesInventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301303 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301304 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounts receivable balances (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSignificantAccountsReceivableBalancesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounts receivable balances (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301305 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Computation of Basic and Diluted Net loss per share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesComputationOfBasicAndDilutedNetLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Computation of Basic and Diluted Net loss per share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Property and equipment Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentPropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307302 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Stock Award Activity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlansStockAwardActivityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Stock Award Activity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307303 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans RSU and RSA activity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlansRsuAndRsaActivityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans RSU and RSA activity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307304 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Exercise Price ranges and related information for options and SARS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangesAndRelatedInformationForOptionsAndSarsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Exercise Price ranges and related information for options and SARS (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Significant Customers (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SignificantCustomersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Customers (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/GoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payments for financing obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsForFinancingObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payments for financing obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312302 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payment for Operating Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesFutureMinimumLeasePaymentForOperatingLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payment for Operating Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Provision for income taxes, Region (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesProvisionForIncomeTaxesRegionTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Provision for income taxes, Region (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313302 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of income tax expense/ (benefit) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Components of income tax expense/ (benefit) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313303 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Effective rate reconcilation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesEffectiveRateReconcilationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Effective rate reconcilation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313304 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of Deferred tax asset/ liability (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetLiabilityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Components of Deferred tax asset/ liability (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313305 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Company's uncertain tax positions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesCompanysUncertainTaxPositionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Company's uncertain tax positions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Restructuring (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/RestructuringTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Segment Disclosure (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SegmentDisclosureTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Disclosure (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401406 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401407 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401408 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401409 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConcentrationOfCreditRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401410 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Computation of Basic and Diluted net loss per share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesComputationOfBasicAndDilutedNetLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Computation of Basic and Diluted net loss per share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401411 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Impairment of long lived assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Impairment of long lived assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments-Available for Sale Securities (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments-Available for Sale Securities (Details 1)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Property and equipment Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentPropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Property and equipment Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Property and equipment Useful Lives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentUsefulLivesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and equipment Useful Lives (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlansDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Stock Award Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlansStockAwardActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Stock Award Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407407 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans 1997 Stock Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlans1997StockPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans 1997 Stock Plan (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407408 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans RSU and RSA Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlansRsuAndRsaActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans RSU and RSA Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407409 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Stock option outstanding by exercise price range (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndEmployeeStockOptionPlansStockOptionOutstandingByExercisePriceRangeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Employee Stock Option Plans Stock option outstanding by exercise price range (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation Stock Based Compensation, Fair Value assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationFairValueAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Based Compensation Stock Based Compensation, Fair Value assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation Equity Compensation expense for RSUs and RSAs with Financial or other Performance based vesting requirments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockBasedCompensationEquityCompensationExpenseForRsusAndRsasWithFinancialOrOtherPerformanceBasedVestingRequirmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Based Compensation Equity Compensation expense for RSUs and RSAs with Financial or other Performance based vesting requirments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation Expense Allocation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/StockBasedCompensationExpenseAllocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Based Compensation Expense Allocation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Significant Customers (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SignificantCustomersDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Customers (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/GoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payments for financing transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsForFinancingTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payments for financing transactions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payments for Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsForOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payments for Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412406 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Line of Credit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineOfCreditDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Line of Credit (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412407 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Royalties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesRoyaltiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Royalties (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413407 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of income tax expense/ (benefit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Components of income tax expense/ (benefit) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413408 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Effective Rate Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesEffectiveRateReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Effective Rate Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413409 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of deferred tax asset/ liability (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Components of deferred tax asset/ liability (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413410 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of Deferred Tax asset/ liability (Textual) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetLiabilityTextualDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Components of Deferred Tax asset/ liability (Textual) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413411 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Company's uncertain tax positions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/IncomeTaxesCompanysUncertainTaxPositionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Company's uncertain tax positions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Warranty Reserves (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/WarrantyReservesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Warranty Reserves (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - Related Parties (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/RelatedPartiesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Parties (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Restructuring Restructuring Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/RestructuringRestructuringPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Restructuring Plan (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Restructuring Restructuring Plan (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/RestructuringRestructuringPlanDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Restructuring Plan (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Valuation and Qualifying accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Valuation and Qualifying accounts (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Segment Disclosure Segment Reporting, Reporting by Segment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SegmentDisclosureSegmentReportingReportingBySegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Disclosure Segment Reporting, Reporting by Segment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - Segment Disclosure (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SegmentDisclosureDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Disclosure (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418404 - Disclosure - Segment Disclosure (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SegmentDisclosureDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Disclosure (Details 1)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418405 - Disclosure - Segment Disclosure (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/SegmentDisclosureDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Disclosure (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419401 - Disclosure - Joint Venture (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.echelon.com/role/JointVentureDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Joint Venture (Details Textual)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element elon_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsCompensationCostRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element elon_LeaseExpenseForLandUnderOperatingLease had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Depreciation had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2401408 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accrued Liabilities (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2401410 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Computation of Basic and Diluted net loss per share (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2405403 - Disclosure - Property and equipment Narrative (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2408404 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation Expense Allocation (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412404 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Future minimum lease payments for Operating Leases (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412406 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Line of Credit (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2413411 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Company's uncertain tax positions (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2415401 - Disclosure - Related Parties (Details Textual)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2415401 - Disclosure - Related Parties (Details Textual)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2418402 - Disclosure - Segment Disclosure Segment Reporting, Reporting by Segment (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2419401 - Disclosure - Joint Venture (Details Textual)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002500 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Compehensive Loss</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1007000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>elon-20131231.xml</File>
    <File>elon-20131231.xsd</File>
    <File>elon-20131231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>elon-20131231_def.xml</File>
    <File>elon-20131231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>elon-20131231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
