v2.4.1.9
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 $ 5.7itri_ProductWarrantyExpenseChange $ 2.7itri_ProductWarrantyExpenseChange    
Warranty charge 4.0itri_WarrantyCharge      
Litigation Settlement, Amount $ 14.7us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount      
Itron Sistemas e Technologia Ltda. Employment Cases [Member]        
Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs 300us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= itri_ItronSistemaseTechnologiaLtda.EmploymentCasesMember		      
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     800dei_EntityNumberOfEmployees
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= itri_ItronSistemaseTechnologiaLtda.EmploymentCasesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= itri_EmployeesofPreviousServiceProviderHiredUponAgreementtoProvideInstallationandMaintenanceServicestoaCustomerMember		  
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       870dei_EntityNumberOfEmployees
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= itri_ItronSistemaseTechnologiaLtda.EmploymentCasesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= itri_EmployeesTerminatedUpontheTerminationofInstallationandMaintenanceServicesContractwithCustomerMember