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Minority Investments - Schedule of Net Investment Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Results Related To Equity Accounted Investees [Line Items] |  |  |
Minority interest in net losses | $ (743)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments | $ (1,008)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments | $ (2,231)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Tres Amigas |  |  |
Schedule Of Results Related To Equity Accounted Investees [Line Items] |  |  |
Beginning Balance | 1,845 amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_TresAmigasMember |  |
Minority interest in net losses | (743)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_TresAmigasMember |  |
Ending Balance | 1,102 amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_TresAmigasMember |  |
Blade Dynamics Ltd |  |  |
Schedule Of Results Related To Equity Accounted Investees [Line Items] |  |  |
Beginning Balance | 3,690 amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember |  |
Net foreign exchange rate impact | (226)us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember |  |
Impairment | (3,464)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember | (1,300)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember |
Ending Balance | $ 0 amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember | $ 3,690 amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember |

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- Definition This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27405-111563 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (c)-(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The amount by which the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 34 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e25351-111560 + Details
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