Acorn Energy (ACFN) 10-Q 12 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

DEI_Document

DEI Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 05, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ACORN ENERGY, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000880984	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	22,146,713
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$7,369	$26,147
Restricted deposits	799	699
Accounts receivable	4,507	5,481
Unbilled revenue	6,236	5,213
Inventory	5,271	5,106
Other current assets	3,369	3,547
Total current assets	27,551	46,193
Property and equipment, net	2,056	927
Severance assets	3,419	3,165
Restricted deposit	0	115
Intangible assets, net	3,936	9,561
Goodwill	4,497	6,630
Other assets	938	745
Total assets	42,397	67,336
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Short-term bank credit and current maturities of long-term bank debt	1,212	153
Accounts payable	2,889	2,631
Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and social benefits	2,012	2,420
Deferred Revenue	1,732	3,323
Other current liabilities	2,450	1,708
Total current liabilities	10,295	10,235
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Accrued severance	4,835	4,491
Other long-term liabilities	594	665
Total long-term liabilities	5,429	5,156
Equity:	'	'
Common stock - $0.01 par value per share: Authorized - 30,000,000 shares; Issued -18,870,526 and 18,890,536 shares at December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, respectively	188	188
Additional paid-in capital	83,886	83,469
Warrants	44	55
Accumulated deficit	-54,194	-29,733
Treasury stock, at cost - 801,920 shares at December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013	-3,036	-3,036
Accumulated other comprehensive income	318	716
Total Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders’ equity	27,206	51,659
Non-controlling interests	-533	286
Total equity	26,673	51,945
Total liabilities and equity	$42,397	$67,336
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	18,892,456	18,870,526
Treasury stock, shares	801,920	801,920

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Projects	$3,278	$3,399	$10,519	$11,017
Products	1,323	1,034	4,198	2,985
Services	381	280	1,214	621
Total revenues	4,982	4,713	15,931	14,623
Cost of sales:	'	'	'	'
Projects	2,972	2,468	8,535	8,241
Products	839	637	2,609	1,837
Services	112	120	331	371
Total cost of sales	3,923	3,225	11,475	10,449
Gross profit	1,059	1,488	4,456	4,174
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development expenses, net of credits	2,219	1,754	6,336	4,771
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	4,995	5,272	15,221	13,891
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	5,615	0	6,731	0
Restructuring Charges	772	0	1,366	0
Total Operating Expenses	13,601	7,026	29,654	18,662
Operating Income (Loss)	-12,542	-5,538	-25,198	-14,488
Finance income (expense), net	-9	-160	80	-53
Loss before income taxes	-12,551	-5,698	-25,118	-14,541
Income tax benefit (expense), net	-143	-1,487	-228	-2,476
Net Loss	-12,694	-4,211	-25,346	-12,065
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-382	-276	-885	-737
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. Shareholders	($12,312)	($3,935)	($24,461)	($11,328)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders	'	'	($1.35)	($0.63)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders, Basic and Diluted	'	'	18,086	17,843
Weighted average number of shares outstanding attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders – basic and diluted	18,091	17,934	'	'
Dividends declared per common share	$0	$0.04	$0.04	$0.11
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders	($0.68)	($0.22)	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net Loss Attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. Shareholders	($12,312)	($3,935)	($24,461)	($11,328)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	1	233	-391	232
Comprehensive loss	-12,311	-3,702	-24,852	-11,096
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	-2	-3	-7	-3
Comprehensive loss attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders	$12,313	$3,705	$24,859	$11,099

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Warrants [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)[Member]	Parent [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$51,945	$188	$83,469	$55	($29,733)	$3,036	$716	$51,659	$286
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	18,871,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-25,346	0	0	0	-24,461	0	0	-24,461	-885
Differences from translation of subsidiaries' financial statements	'	0	0	0	0	0	-398	-398	7
Dividends	-634	0	-634	0	0	0	0	-634	0
Adjustment of Additional Paid In Capital and Noncontrolling Interests from Investment in Noncontrolling Interests	0	0	202	0	0	0	0	202	-202
Dividends in common stock under Dividend Reinvestment Plan, shares	18,976	19,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends in common stock under Dividend Reinvestment Plan, value	117	0	117	0	0	0	0	117	0
Stock option compensation	721	0	721	0	0	0	0	721	0
Stock Option Compensation of Subsidiaries	261	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	261
Exercise of warrants	0	0	11	-11	0	0	0	0	0
Exercised (number of warrants)	'	3,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	$26,673	$188	$83,886	$44	($54,194)	$3,036	$318	$27,206	($533)
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	'	18,893,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Net Loss	($25,346)	($12,065)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities (see Schedule A):	8,862	-4,649
Net cash used in operating activities	-16,484	-16,714
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:	'	'
Acquisitions of property and equipment	-2,670	-476
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	0	-150
Restricted deposits	-267	-46
Release of restricted deposits	-282	-386
Amounts funded for severance assets	-76	-235
Maturity of short-term deposits	0	16,015
Short-term deposit	0	-8,015
Release of escrow deposits	0	5,961
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-2,731	5,605
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from employee stock option and warrant exercises	0	1,330
Short-term bank credit, net	1,171	-131
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	0	16
Repayments of long-term debt	-117	-135
Dividends paid	-517	-2,682
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	537	-1,602
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-100	148
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-18,778	-12,563
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	7,369	21,717
A. Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,177	1,035
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	6,731	0
Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets	573	0
Inventory Write-down	641	0
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	541	0
Increase in accrued severance	106	371
Stock-based compensation	982	590
Deferred taxes	-2	-1,766
Other	66	-29
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, other current assets and other assets	-111	-2,590
Increase in inventory	-847	-799
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued payroll, payroll taxes and social benefits, deferred revenues, other current liabilities and other liabilities	-995	-1,461
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities (see Schedule A):	8,862	-4,649
B. Non-cash items:	'	'
Adjustment of Additional Paid In Capital and Noncontrolling Interests from Investment in Noncontrolling Interests	202	975
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan	117	69
C. Assets/liabilities acquired in the acquisition of OmniMetrix	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$0	($7,835)

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]	'
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Acorn Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. All dollar amounts in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are in thousands except for per share data.
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 to conform to the current period's condensed consolidated financial statement presentation. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

RECENT_AUTHORITATIVE_GUIDANCE

RECENT AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
RECENT AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE [Abstract]	'
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block]	'
	RECENT AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE
	Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in February, 2013, related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Under this update, an entity is required to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated OCI and to report changes in its accumulated OCI balances. For significant items reclassified out of accumulated OCI to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, reporting is required about the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items in the statement where net income is presented. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under GAAP is required in the notes to the financial statements. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	There have been no other recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, that are of material significance, or have potential material significance, to the Company.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
US SEISMIC SYSTEMS, INC. [Abstract]	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Text Block]	'
	INVESTMENTS
	(a)	Investment in US Seismic Systems, Inc. ("USSI")
	On February 28, 2013, the Company entered into a new Stock Purchase Agreement with USSI pursuant to which the Company made a payment to USSI of $2,500 to purchase additional shares of USSI Preferred Stock. In May 2013, the Company made another payment of $2,500 to purchase additional shares of USSI Preferred Stock. The USSI Preferred Stock is the same class of shares that the Company acquired in 2012 and provides that upon any future liquidation of USSI, to the extent funds are available for distribution to USSI's stockholders after the satisfaction of any USSI liabilities at that time, USSI would first repay the Company for the purchase price of its USSI Preferred Stock. Thereafter, the Company would receive a further payment for such shares ratably with all other USSI Common Stock holders as though the Company's shares of USSI Preferred Stock were the same number of shares of USSI Common Stock.
	On August 21, 2013, the Company entered into a second Stock Purchase Agreement with USSI pursuant to which the Company made a payment to USSI of $1,000 to purchase additional shares of USSI Preferred Stock. The USSI Preferred Stock is the same class of shares that the Company acquired earlier in 2013.
	Following the August 2013 investment in USSI, the Company owned approximately 95.7% of USSI on an as converted basis (which amount would be diluted to approximately 88.4% if all options which could be awarded under USSI's 2012 Stock Purchase Plan were awarded and exercised).
	(b)	Investment in DSIT Solutions, Ltd. ("DSIT")
	Effective July 1, 2013, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with DSIT (the "DSIT SPA") pursuant to which the Company converted a prior loan of approximately $800 into additional ordinary (common) shares of DSIT. The Company also converted $2,800 in advances and loans into DSIT's Participating Preferred Stock (the “DSIT Preferred Stock”).  At the closing, Acorn purchased an additional $800 of DSIT Preferred Stock and committed to purchasing an additional $1,400 of DSIT Preferred Stock.
	The DSIT Preferred Stock provides that upon any future liquidation of DSIT, to the extent funds are available for distribution to DSIT's stockholders after the satisfaction of any DSIT liabilities at that time, DSIT would first repay the Company for the purchase price of our DSIT Preferred Stock. Thereafter, the Company would receive a further payment for such shares ratably with all other DSIT ordinary stock holders as though the Company's shares of DSIT Preferred Stock were the same number of DSIT ordinary shares.
	In September 2013, the Company informed DSIT that it would suspend payment of funds it committed to invest in DSIT over the remainder of 2013 and in 2014. The DSIT SPA will need to be amended to reflect this decision. The Company is unable at this time to predict the terms of the amendment.
	The Company currently owns approximately 88.3% of DSIT on an as converted basis.  If all the options to purchase all shares of DSIT ordinary stock available under the DSIT Option Plan are granted and exercised, the Company would own approximately 77.4% of DSIT on a fully diluted as converted basis.

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES
	(a) GridSense
	During the second quarter of 2013, following a change in its management, the Company's GridSense segment made a decision to restructure operations in both its USA and Australian entities. This action was taken primarily in order to improve efficiency based on GridSense's revenue mix and skills mix. Accordingly, GridSense recorded a restructuring charge of $302 related to severance and other termination benefits for 17 employees whose positions were made redundant both in the United States and in Australia.  In addition, in connection with downsizing its Australian operations, GridSense decided to move its operations to a smaller facility and recorded a restructuring charge of $101, consisting of contractual rental commitments and related moving costs. In connection with that move, GridSense recorded a loss of $39 reflecting the remaining book value of abandoned fixed assets. Following the restructuring, GridSense's Australian operations no longer have a production line and have minimal research and development activities. All product production and development now take place at GridSense's U.S. operations facility in Sacramento. As a result of the cessation of production activities in Australia, GridSense also recorded a provision of $152 related to products which had been produced in Australia, but will no longer be produced or supported by U.S. operations.
	The following table summarizes GridSense's restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Employee severance and termination benefits	$	302
	Facilities costs	101
	Abandonment of fixed assets	39
	Inventory obsolescence	152
	Total	$	594
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to GridSense's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Facilities			Inventory and fixed asset impairments			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Provision	302			101			191			594
	Cash payments	(207		)	(74		)	—			(281		)
	Non-cash settlements	—			—			(191		)	(191		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	95		$	27		$	—		$	122
	The total remaining accrued restructuring balance of $122 with respect to GridSense's restructuring is expected to be paid in full by December 31, 2013 and is included in Other current liabilities in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	(b) OmniMetrix
	During the first half of 2013, OmniMetrix marketed its Power Generation Monitoring ("PG") products primarily to dealers and distributors of the most common brands of generators. While some larger dealers have embraced OmniMetrix's business model (a recurring revenue model where monitors are sold at or below cost in exchange for customer commitments for fixed term monitoring contracts), it has not universally resonated within the dealer marketplace and the rate of anticipated adoption (and thus sales of monitors and monitoring subscriptions) has been far slower than anticipated. Revenue in 2013 and expected future monitoring revenues from renewals have been significantly adversely impacted by an inability to make sufficient new sales (see Note 7 for impairments of goodwill and intangibles). OmniMetrix is currently refining a revised strategic direction which includes marketing to end-users as well as to select dealers identified as possessing both substantial maintenance customer bases and a willingness to provide value-added services. The Company intends to share the resources of OmniMetrix with GridSense in order to capitalize on synergies from both companies’ machine-to-machine operating models, power assurance focus and complementary personnel, and as a first step appointed the CEO of GridSense to also serve as CEO of OmniMetrix.
	OmniMetrix is currently engaged in restructuring its operations to better align expenses with revenues as now projected by its new management. This will result in personnel layoffs and significantly reduced utilization of its leased facility in Buford, Georgia. Accordingly, OmniMetrix recorded a restructuring charge of $155 related to severance and other termination benefits for employees replaced or whose positions were made or are expected to be made redundant.  In addition, as a result of the expected significantly reduced utilization of its leased facility, OmniMetrix also recorded a restructuring charge of $202 for the expected net contractual rental commitments through the end of its lease in December 2019. Furthermore, OmniMetrix recorded a loss of $415 reflecting the write-down of a majority of the remaining book value of leasehold improvements associated with the leased facility net of the landlord's participation in those improvements. The entire restructuring charge at OmniMetrix of $772 is reflected in the unallocated cost of OmniMetrix headquarters (see Note 10).
	The following table summarizes OmniMetrix's restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Employee severance and termination benefits	$	155
	Facilities costs	202
	Fixed asset impairments, net	415
	Total	$	772
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to OmniMetrix's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Facilities			Fixed asset impairments			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Provision	155			202			415			772
	Cash payments	(37		)	—			—			(37		)
	Non-cash settlements	—			—			(415		)	(415		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	118		$	202		$	—		$	320
	The total remaining accrued restructuring balance of $320 is expected to be paid in full by December 31, 2019 and is included in Other current liabilities ($147) and Other liabilities ($173) in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NONCONTROLLING_INTERESTS

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
	The composition of the net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (“NCI”) is as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Net income (loss) attributable to NCI in DSIT	$	69		$	(25	)	$	4		$	(47	)
	Net loss attributable to NCI in USSI	(806		)	(860		)	(280		)	(335		)
	Net loss attributable to NCI	$	(737	)	$	(885	)	$	(276	)	$	(382	)

INVENTORY

INVENTORY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	INVENTORY
	The composition of inventory is as follows:
		As of December 31, 2012		As of September 30, 2013
	Raw materials	$	3,281	$	2,494
	Work-in-process	782		1,480
	Finished goods	1,043		1,297
		$	5,106	$	5,271
	The inventory balances at September 30, 2013 are net of provisions for obsolete inventory and adjustments to lower-of-cost-or-market recorded in 2013 at USSI ($468), OmniMetrix ($21) and a restructuring obsolescence provision at GridSense ($152) (see Note 4).

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	(a) Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013 were as follows:
		Energy & Security Sonar Solutions segment		GridSense segment			USSI segment			Power Generation Monitoring segment			Cathodic Protection segment*			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	541	$	2,757		$	1,402		$	1,517		$	413		$	6,630
	Impairment	—		—			—			(1,517		)	(413		)	(1,930		)
	Translation adjustment	29		(232		)	—			—			—			(203		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	570	$	2,525		$	1,402		$	—		$	—		$	4,497
	* Results for the Cathodic Protection ("CP") segment are included in "Other" in Segment Reporting (see Note 10).
	OmniMetrix's PG segment operates primarily on a recurring revenue model where monitors are sold at or below cost in exchange for customer commitments for fixed term monitoring contracts. During the first half of 2013, OmniMetrix marketed primarily to dealers and distributors of the most common brands of generators. While some larger dealers have embraced this business model, it has not universally resonated within the dealer marketplace and the rate of adoption (and thus sales of monitors and monitoring subscriptions) has been far slower than anticipated. Revenue in 2013 and future years (for both PG and CP segments) have been significantly adversely impacted by the inability to make expected penetration in the marketplace and future projections for the segments have been adjusted accordingly. Following a goodwill impairment analysis based upon expected discounted cash flows using Level 3 inputs from both the Company's PG and CP segments, the Company determined that the goodwill recorded with respect to both segments were fully impaired and the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,930.
	(b) Intangibles
	The changes in the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013 were as follows:
		Energy &					GridSense segment						USSI segment						Power Generation Monitoring segment						Cathodic Protection segment**
		Security Sonar
		Solutions
		segment
		Cost		A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	532	$	(364	)	$	2,777		$	(873	)	$	2,715		$	(380	)	$	4,385		$	(309	)	$	1,196		$	(118	)	$	9,561
	Impairment	—		—			—			—			—			—			(3,824		)	—			(977		)	—			(4,801		)
	Amortization	—		(61		)	—			(206		)	—			(113		)	—			(252		)	—			(101		)	(733		)
	Translation adjustment	30		(26		)	(142		)	47			—			—			—			—			—			—			(91		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	562	$	(451	)	$	2,635		$	(1,032	)	$	2,715		$	(493	)	$	561		$	(561	)	$	219		$	(219	)	$	3,936
	Weighted average estimated useful lives in years	6					10						20
	*    Accumulated amortization
	** Results for the Cathodic Protection segment are included in "Other" in Segment Reporting (see Note 10).
	The composition of intangibles in each of the Company's segments are as follows (following the third quarter 2013 impairment charge):
	Segment	Type of Intangible
	Energy & Security Sonar Solutions	Naval technologies
	GridSense	Software, customer relationships and trade name
	USSI	Sensor technologies and license
	Power Generation Monitoring	Technologies
	Cathodic Protection*	Technologies
	* The Cathodic Protection segment is included in "Other" in Segment Reporting (see Note 10).
	As noted above (Note 7(a)), OmniMetrix's potential customers adoption of its business model has been far slower than anticipated. The goodwill impairment analysis performed also indicated that the acquired intangible assets (technologies, customer relationships and non-compete agreements) were also impaired based on Level 3 inputs. Accordingly, in the third quarter of 2013, the Company recorded impairment charges of $2,708 and $977 associated with its PG and CP segments, respectively.
	During the second quarter of 2013, a customer with whom OmniMetrix had a significant on-going relationship at the time of the Company's acquisition of OmniMetrix in February 2012, indicated that they would be disconnecting all of their power generator monitoring units over a period of time. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment of the customer relationship intangible asset associated with that customer in its Power Generation Monitoring segment of $1,116.
	Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 amounted to $716 and $733, respectively. Amortization expense with respect to intangible assets is estimated to be $480, $396, $354, $354 and $354 for each of the years ending September 30, 2014 through 2018.

EQUITY

EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	EQUITY
	(a)	Dividends
	On February 7, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.035 per share to be paid on March 4, 2013 to common stockholders of record on February 20, 2013. The total dividend payment on March 4, 2013 was $634 of which $517 was in cash and $117 (net of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) discount of $6) was in common stock of the Company (representing 18,976 shares of common stock) in accordance with the DRIP. On May 8, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors agreed to halt the Company's dividend in favor of investing in Acorn's portfolio companies.
	(b)	Acorn Stock Options
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
			Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
			of Options		Average
			(in shares)		Exercise
					Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,311,397		$	5.2
	Granted		192,485		$	6.79
	Exercised		—		$	—
	Forfeited or expired		—		$	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		1,503,882		$	5.41		4.0 years		$	1,632
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		1,107,159		$	4.78		3.1 years		$	1,616
	The fair value of the options granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
	Risk-free interest rate		1.7	%
	Expected term of options		6.7 years
	Expected annual volatility		58	%
	Expected dividend yield		0.5	%
	(c)	DSIT Stock Options
	In July 2013, DSIT amended the vesting terms of previously granted option agreements under the DSIT 2006 Key Employee Share Option Plan (the "Plan") such that those options become vested and exercisable upon the occurrence of any one of the following:
	i)	The date of consummation of an IPO (as defined in the Plan); or
	ii)	The date of consummation of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the Plan); or
	iii)	The date of termination or resignation of Optionee’s employment with DSIT, for any reason excluding termination for cause, provided that on the date of termination the Optionee was employed by DSIT for a continuous period of at least 25 years.
	As a result of the modification of the options, DSIT recorded stock compensation expense of $159 during the third quarter of 2013.
	(d)	Stock-based Compensation Expense
	Stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was as follows:
			Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
			2012			2013			2012			2013
	Cost of sales		$	—		$	44		$	—		$	44
	Research and development expenses, net of credits		68			31			68			10
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		522			907			340			329
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	590		$	982		$	408		$	383
	(e)	Warrants
	The Company previously issued warrants at exercise prices equal to or greater than market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance.  A summary of warrant activity follows:
			Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
			of Warrants		Average
			(in shares)		Exercise
					Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		28,750		$	3.68
	Granted		—
	Exercised		(2,954	)	$	3.68
	Forfeited or expired		(2,796	)	$	3.68
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		23,000		$	3.68		2.2 years
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 2,954 warrants were exercised and 2,796 warrants were forfeited in connection with the “net exercise” of 5,750 warrants. In a net exercise of a warrant, the Company does not require a payment of the exercise price of the warrant from the warrant holder, but reduces the number of shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of the warrant by the smallest number of whole shares that has an aggregate fair market value equal to or in excess of the aggregate exercise price for the warrants covered by the warrants exercised. The 5,750 warrants which were exercised under this method had a weighted average exercise price of $3.68 per share.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Financial items measured at fair value are classified in the table below in accordance with the hierarchy established in applicable accounting principles.
		As at September 30, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	799	$	—	$	—	$	799
	Derivative assets	10		—		—		10
	Total	$	809	$	—	$	—	$	809
		As at December 31, 2012
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	814	$	—	$	—	$	814
	Derivative assets	112		—		—		112
	Total	$	926	$	—	$	—	$	926
	Derivative assets are forward contracts for the purchase of New Israeli Shekels for which market prices are readily available. Unrealized gains or losses from forward contracts are recorded in Finance income (expense), net.

SEGMENT_REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SEGMENT REPORTING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SEGMENT REPORTING
	The Company currently operates in four reportable operating segments:
	-1	The Company's Energy & Security Sonar Solutions segment is focused on sonar and acoustic related solutions for energy, defense and commercial markets and includes other real-time and embedded hardware & software development and production. Energy & Security Sonar Solutions activities are provided through the Company’s DSIT Solutions Ltd. subsidiary.
	-2	The Company’s GridSense segment provides Smart Grid Distribution Automation products and services through its GridSense subsidiaries.
	-3	The Company’s Oil and Gas Sensor Systems segment's (previously known as the Energy and Security Sensor Systems segment) focus is to develop and produce fiber optic sensing systems for the energy and security markets.  These activities are performed through the Company's USSI subsidiary.
	-4	The Company's Power Generation Monitoring segment provides products and services which deliver critical, real-time machine information to customers, while its Smart Service™ software provides remote diagnostics that give users real control over their equipment. These activities are performed through the Company's OmniMetrix subsidiary. As these activities were acquired in February 2012, there are only partial comparative results reported for these activities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012.
	Other operations include certain IT activities (protocol management software for cancer patients and billing software) and outsourced consulting activities performed by the Company's DSIT subsidiary as well as Cathodic Protection activities in the Company's OmniMetrix subsidiary that do not meet the quantitative thresholds under applicable accounting principles.
			Energy &			GridSense			Oil & Gas Sensor Systems			Power Generation Monitoring			Other			Total
			Security
			Sonar
			Solutions
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers		$	8,723		$	3,543		$	1,148		$	1,215		$	1,302		$	15,931
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			39			—			—			39
	Segment gross profit (loss)		3,187			1,498			(1,538		)	616			693			4,456
	Impairment of goodwill and intangibles (Note 7)		—			—			—			5,341			1,390			6,731
	Restructuring and related charges (Note 4(a))		—			594			—			—			—			594
	Depreciation and amortization		182			266			275			252			121			1,096
	Stock compensation expense		44			—			101			—			—			145
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes		110			(3,549		)	(6,838		)	(6,686		)	(1,467		)	(18,430		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues from external customers		$	9,170		2,884			$	1,317		$	301		$	951		$	14,623
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)		3,281			1,240			(773		)	53			373			4,174
	Depreciation and amortization		173			288			238			221			106			1,026
	Stock compensation expense		—			—			282			—			—			282
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes		619			(3,556		)	(6,032		)	(639		)	(70		)	(9,678		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers		$	2,537		$	1,069		$	513		$	411		$	452		$	4,982
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)		852			448			(688		)	177			270			1,059
	Impairment of goodwill and intangibles (Note 7)		—			—			—			4,225			1,390			5,615
	Restructuring and related charges		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Depreciation and amortization		65			77			106			75			41			364
	Stock compensation expense		44			—			33			—			—			77
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes		(204		)	(812		)	(2,668		)	(4,854		)	(1,478		)	(10,016		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues from external customers		$	2,988		$	977		$	234		$	186		$	328		$	4,713
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)		984			423			(168		)	82			167			1,488
	Depreciation and amortization		57			99			85			89			40			370
	Stock compensation expense		—			—			282			—			—			282
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes		38			(1,499		)	(2,230		)	(332		)	20			(4,003		)
	Reconciliation of Segment Income (Loss) to Consolidated Net Loss Before Income Taxes
			Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
			2012			2013			2012			2013
	Total net loss before income taxes for reportable segments		$	(9,608	)	$	(16,963	)	$	(4,023	)	$	(8,538	)
	Other operational segment net income (loss) before income taxes		(70		)	(1,467		)	20			(1,478		)
	Total segment net loss before income taxes		(9,678		)	(18,430		)	(4,003		)	(10,016		)
	Unallocated cost of corporate headquarters*		(4,027		)	(3,964		)	(1,300		)	(1,209		)
	Unallocated cost of DSIT and OmniMetrix headquarters**		(836		)	(2,724		)	(395		)	(1,326		)
	Consolidated loss before income taxes		$	(14,541	)	$	(25,118	)	$	(5,698	)	$	(12,551	)
	* Includes stock compensation expense of $309 and $721 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Includes stock compensation expense of $128 and $190 for the three month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
	** The nine and three month periods ending September 30, 2013 includes a restructuring charge of $772 associated with OmniMetrix (see Note 4(b))

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Notes

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Acorn Capital Raise
	On October, 17, 2013, the Company closed on a public offering of 3,508,771 shares of its common stock at $2.85 per share for gross proceeds to the Company of $10,000. The Company received net proceeds of $9,134 after deducting discounts and commissions to the underwriters and estimated offering expenses. In connection with the Underwriting Agreement, the Company also issued a warrant to the underwriters to acquire 228,070 shares of common stock at $3.14 per share which shall be exercisable for five years.
	On October, 23, 2013, the Company closed on a sale of 526,316 shares of its common stock following the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters at $2.85 per share for gross proceeds to the Company of $1,500. The Company received net proceeds of $1,370 after deducting discounts and commissions to the underwriters and estimated offering expenses. In connection with the over-allotment closing, the Company also issued a warrant to the underwriters to acquire 34,211 shares of common stock at $3.14 per share which shall be exercisable for five years.

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR1

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes OmniMetrix's restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Employee severance and termination benefits	$	155
	Facilities costs	202
	Fixed asset impairments, net	415
	Total	$	772
	The following table summarizes GridSense's restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Employee severance and termination benefits	$	302
	Facilities costs	101
	Abandonment of fixed assets	39
	Inventory obsolescence	152
	Total	$	594
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to GridSense's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Facilities			Inventory and fixed asset impairments			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Provision	302			101			191			594
	Cash payments	(207		)	(74		)	—			(281		)
	Non-cash settlements	—			—			(191		)	(191		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	95		$	27		$	—		$	122
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to OmniMetrix's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Facilities			Fixed asset impairments			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Provision	155			202			415			772
	Cash payments	(37		)	—			—			(37		)
	Non-cash settlements	—			—			(415		)	(415		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	118		$	202		$	—		$	320

NONCONTROLLING_INTERESTS_Table

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]	'
Non-controlling interests share in income (loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The composition of the net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (“NCI”) is as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Net income (loss) attributable to NCI in DSIT	$	69		$	(25	)	$	4		$	(47	)
	Net loss attributable to NCI in USSI	(806		)	(860		)	(280		)	(335		)
	Net loss attributable to NCI	$	(737	)	$	(885	)	$	(276	)	$	(382	)

INVENTORY_Tables

INVENTORY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory composition [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
	The composition of inventory is as follows:
		As of December 31, 2012		As of September 30, 2013
	Raw materials	$	3,281	$	2,494
	Work-in-process	782		1,480
	Finished goods	1,043		1,297
		$	5,106	$	5,271

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013 were as follows:
		Energy & Security Sonar Solutions segment		GridSense segment			USSI segment			Power Generation Monitoring segment			Cathodic Protection segment*			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	541	$	2,757		$	1,402		$	1,517		$	413		$	6,630
	Impairment	—		—			—			(1,517		)	(413		)	(1,930		)
	Translation adjustment	29		(232		)	—			—			—			(203		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	570	$	2,525		$	1,402		$	—		$	—		$	4,497
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013 were as follows:
		Energy &					GridSense segment						USSI segment						Power Generation Monitoring segment						Cathodic Protection segment**
		Security Sonar
		Solutions
		segment
		Cost		A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	532	$	(364	)	$	2,777		$	(873	)	$	2,715		$	(380	)	$	4,385		$	(309	)	$	1,196		$	(118	)	$	9,561
	Impairment	—		—			—			—			—			—			(3,824		)	—			(977		)	—			(4,801		)
	Amortization	—		(61		)	—			(206		)	—			(113		)	—			(252		)	—			(101		)	(733		)
	Translation adjustment	30		(26		)	(142		)	47			—			—			—			—			—			—			(91		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	562	$	(451	)	$	2,635		$	(1,032	)	$	2,715		$	(493	)	$	561		$	(561	)	$	219		$	(219	)	$	3,936
	Weighted average estimated useful lives in years	6					10						20
Composition of finite lived intangibles by class [Table Text Block]	'
	The composition of intangibles in each of the Company's segments are as follows (following the third quarter 2013 impairment charge):
	Segment	Type of Intangible
	Energy & Security Sonar Solutions	Naval technologies
	GridSense	Software, customer relationships and trade name
	USSI	Sensor technologies and license
	Power Generation Monitoring	Technologies
	Cathodic Protection*	Technologies
	* The Cathodic Protection segment is included in "Other" in Segment Reporting (see Note 10).

EQUITY_Tables

EQUITY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		of Options		Average
		(in shares)		Exercise
				Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	1,311,397		$	5.2
	Granted	192,485		$	6.79
	Exercised	—		$	—
	Forfeited or expired	—		$	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	1,503,882		$	5.41		4.0 years		$	1,632
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013	1,107,159		$	4.78		3.1 years		$	1,616
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of the options granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
	Risk-free interest rate	1.7	%
	Expected term of options	6.7 years
	Expected annual volatility	58	%
	Expected dividend yield	0.5	%
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	Stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Cost of sales	$	—		$	44		$	—		$	44
	Research and development expenses, net of credits	68			31			68			10
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	522			907			340			329
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	590		$	982		$	408		$	383
Changes in outstanding warrants to purchase common stock [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company previously issued warrants at exercise prices equal to or greater than market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance.  A summary of warrant activity follows:
		Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
		of Warrants		Average
		(in shares)		Exercise
				Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	28,750		$	3.68
	Granted	—
	Exercised	(2,954	)	$	3.68
	Forfeited or expired	(2,796	)	$	3.68
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	23,000		$	3.68		2.2 years

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Financial items measured at fair value are classified in the table below in accordance with the hierarchy established in applicable accounting principles.
		As at September 30, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	799	$	—	$	—	$	799
	Derivative assets	10		—		—		10
	Total	$	809	$	—	$	—	$	809
		As at December 31, 2012
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	814	$	—	$	—	$	814
	Derivative assets	112		—		—		112
	Total	$	926	$	—	$	—	$	926

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Tables

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Other operations include certain IT activities (protocol management software for cancer patients and billing software) and outsourced consulting activities performed by the Company's DSIT subsidiary as well as Cathodic Protection activities in the Company's OmniMetrix subsidiary that do not meet the quantitative thresholds under applicable accounting principles.
		Energy &			GridSense			Oil & Gas Sensor Systems			Power Generation Monitoring			Other			Total
		Security
		Sonar
		Solutions
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	8,723		$	3,543		$	1,148		$	1,215		$	1,302		$	15,931
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			39			—			—			39
	Segment gross profit (loss)	3,187			1,498			(1,538		)	616			693			4,456
	Impairment of goodwill and intangibles (Note 7)	—			—			—			5,341			1,390			6,731
	Restructuring and related charges (Note 4(a))	—			594			—			—			—			594
	Depreciation and amortization	182			266			275			252			121			1,096
	Stock compensation expense	44			—			101			—			—			145
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	110			(3,549		)	(6,838		)	(6,686		)	(1,467		)	(18,430		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	9,170		2,884			$	1,317		$	301		$	951		$	14,623
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)	3,281			1,240			(773		)	53			373			4,174
	Depreciation and amortization	173			288			238			221			106			1,026
	Stock compensation expense	—			—			282			—			—			282
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	619			(3,556		)	(6,032		)	(639		)	(70		)	(9,678		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,537		$	1,069		$	513		$	411		$	452		$	4,982
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)	852			448			(688		)	177			270			1,059
	Impairment of goodwill and intangibles (Note 7)	—			—			—			4,225			1,390			5,615
	Restructuring and related charges	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Depreciation and amortization	65			77			106			75			41			364
	Stock compensation expense	44			—			33			—			—			77
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	(204		)	(812		)	(2,668		)	(4,854		)	(1,478		)	(10,016		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,988		$	977		$	234		$	186		$	328		$	4,713
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)	984			423			(168		)	82			167			1,488
	Depreciation and amortization	57			99			85			89			40			370
	Stock compensation expense	—			—			282			—			—			282
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	38			(1,499		)	(2,230		)	(332		)	20			(4,003		)
Reconciliation of Segment Income (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	Reconciliation of Segment Income (Loss) to Consolidated Net Loss Before Income Taxes
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Total net loss before income taxes for reportable segments	$	(9,608	)	$	(16,963	)	$	(4,023	)	$	(8,538	)
	Other operational segment net income (loss) before income taxes	(70		)	(1,467		)	20			(1,478		)
	Total segment net loss before income taxes	(9,678		)	(18,430		)	(4,003		)	(10,016		)
	Unallocated cost of corporate headquarters*	(4,027		)	(3,964		)	(1,300		)	(1,209		)
	Unallocated cost of DSIT and OmniMetrix headquarters**	(836		)	(2,724		)	(395		)	(1,326		)
	Consolidated loss before income taxes	$	(14,541	)	$	(25,118	)	$	(5,698	)	$	(12,551	)

INVESTMENTS_Details

INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
USSI - Legal Entity [Member]	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Preferred stock purchase USSI	$2,500,000
Preferred stock purchase USSI - May 2013	2,500,000
Preferred stock purchase USSI - August 2013	1,000,000
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions	95.70%
Fully diluted ownership	88.40%
DSIT - Legal Entity [Member]	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions	88.30%
Fully diluted ownership	77.40%
Conversion of previous debt into common stock - DSIT	800
Conversion of previous advances and loans into DSIT Preferred Stock	2,800
Purchase of DSIT Preferred Stock at closing	800
Commitment to further purchases of DSIT Preferred Stock	$1,400

ACQUISITION_OF_OMNIMETRIX_Fair

ACQUISITION OF OMNIMETRIX Fair value of assets and liabilities acquired (Details) (OmniMetrix acquistion [Member], USD $)	Feb. 15, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
OmniMetrix acquistion [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Accounts receivable	($328)
Inventory	-234
Other current assets	-10
Property and equipment	-26
Intangible assets	-5,581
Goodwill (see Note 7 for allocation to segments)	-1,930
Current liabilities	$274

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR2

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES Restructuring Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]	OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]	GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]	GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Severance Costs	'	'	'	'	$155	'	$302	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated	'	'	'	'	'	'	17	'
Other Restructuring Costs	'	'	'	'	202	'	101	'
Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets	'	'	573	0	415	'	39	'
Restructuring costs - inventory charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	152	'
Restructuring Reserve	'	'	'	'	320	0	122	0
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent	'	'	'	'	173	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Current	'	'	'	'	147	'	122	'
Restructuring Charges	$772	$0	$1,366	$0	$772	'	$594	'

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR3

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES Summary of restructuring charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets	'	'	$573	$0
Total	772	0	1,366	0
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employee severance and termination benefits	'	'	302	'
Facilities costs	'	'	101	'
Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets	'	'	39	'
Inventory obsolescence	'	'	152	'
Total	'	'	594	'
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employee severance and termination benefits	'	'	155	'
Facilities costs	'	'	202	'
Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets	'	'	415	'
Total	'	'	$772	'

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR4

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES Schedule of Restructuring Reserves by Type (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	$0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	594
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-281
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	-191
Restructuring Reserve	122
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	302
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-207
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve	95
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	101
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-74
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve	27
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member] | Inventory and fixed asset impairments in restructuring [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	191
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	-191
Restructuring Reserve	0
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	772
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-37
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	-415
Restructuring Reserve	320
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	155
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-37
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve	118
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	202
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve	202
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member] | Inventory and fixed asset impairments in restructuring [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	415
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	0
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	-415
Restructuring Reserve	$0

NONCONTROLLING_INTERESTS_Detai

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to NCI in DSIT	($47)	$4	($25)	$69
Net loss attributable to NCI in USSI	-335	-280	-860	-806
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	($382)	($276)	($885)	($737)

INVENTORY_Details

INVENTORY (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory composition [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$2,494	$3,281
Work-in-process	1,480	782
Finished goods	1,297	1,043
Inventory, Net	$5,271	$5,106

INVENTORY_Inventory_provisions

INVENTORY Inventory provisions (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
USSI segment [Member]	'
Inventory provision by company [Line Items]	'
Inventory Valuation Reserves	$468
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member]	'
Inventory provision by company [Line Items]	'
Inventory Valuation Reserves	21
GridSense segment [Member]	'
Inventory provision by company [Line Items]	'
Inventory Valuation Reserves	$152

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	($1,930,000)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	6,630,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-203,000
Goodwill	4,497,000
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	541,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	29,000
Goodwill	570,000
GridSense segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	2,757,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-232,000
Goodwill	2,525,000
USSI segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	1,402,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0
Goodwill	1,402,000
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	-1,517,000
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	1,517,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0
Goodwill	0
All Other Segments [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	-413,000
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	413,000	[1]
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0	[1]
Goodwill	$0	[1]
[1]	* Results for the Cathodic Protection ("CP") segment are included in "Other" in Segment Reporting (see Note 10).

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Schedule of Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	$3,936		'	$9,561
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	-4,801		'	'
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	0		-150	'
Amortization	-733		-716	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	-91		'	'
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'6 years		'	'
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	562		'	532
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0		'	'
Amortization	0		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	30		'	'
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	-451		'	-364
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0		'	'
Amortization	-61		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	-26		'	'
GridSense segment [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'10 years		'	'
GridSense segment [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	2,635		'	2,777
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0		'	'
Amortization	0		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	-142		'	'
GridSense segment [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	-1,032		'	-873
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0		'	'
Amortization	-206		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	47		'	'
USSI segment [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'20 years		'	'
USSI segment [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	2,715		'	2,715
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0		'	'
Amortization	0		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	0		'	'
USSI segment [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	-493		'	-380
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0		'	'
Amortization	-113		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	0		'	'
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'		'	'
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	561		'	4,385
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	-3,824		'	'
Amortization	0		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	0		'	'
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	-561		'	-309
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0		'	'
Amortization	-252		'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	0		'	'
All Other Segments [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'		'	'
All Other Segments [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	219	[1]	'	1,196	[1]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	977	[1]	'	'
Amortization	0	[1]	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	0	[1]	'	'
All Other Segments [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'
Intangible assets	-219	[1]	'	-118	[1]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0	[1]	'	'
Amortization	-101	[1]	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	$0	[1]	'	'
[1]	** Results for the Cathodic Protection segment are included in "Other" in Segment Reporting (see Note 10).

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Impairment of intangible (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Impairment of intangible assets - finite lived - PG segment Q3 2013	$2,708
Impairment of intangible assets - finite lived - CP segment Q3 2013	977
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	$1,116

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS5

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Amortization expense - current period and prior period (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$733	$716

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS6

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Future year's amortization expense (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	$480
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	396
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	354
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	354
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	$354

EQUITY_Dividends_Details

EQUITY Dividends (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0	$0.04	$0.04	$0.11
Total dividend paid - cash and shares	'	'	$634	'
Dividends paid	'	'	517	2,682
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan	'	'	117	69
Dividend reinvestment plan discount	'	'	$6	'
Dividends in common stock under Dividend Reinvestment Plan, shares	'	'	18,976	'

EQUITY_Stock_option_activity_D

EQUITY Stock option activity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,311,397	'
Granted	192,485	'
Exercised	0	'
Forfeited or expired	0	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,503,882	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	1,107,159	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share - Outstanding	'	$5.20
Weighted average exercise price of options or warrants granted	$6.79	'
Weighted average exercise price exercised options	$0	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share - Forfeited or Expired	$0	'
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.41	'
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 0 months 0 days	'
Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$1,632	'
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.78	'
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 0 months 24 days	'
Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$1,616	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.70%	'
Expected term of options, in years	'6 years 8 months	'
Expected annual volatility	58.00%	'
Expected dividend yield	0.50%	'

EQUITY_Number_of_options_grant

EQUITY Number of options granted (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	192,485

EQUITY_Sharebased_compensation

EQUITY Share-based compensation option-pricing model assumptions (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.70%
Expected term of options, in years	'6 years 8 months
Expected annual volatility	58.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.50%

EQUITY_DSIT_Options_Details

EQUITY DSIT Options (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
DSIT Options [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Alternate Vesting Period	'25 years
Share based compensation - DSIT	$159

EQUITY_Sharebased_compensation1

EQUITY Share-based compensation expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Share based compensation expense in cost of sales	$44	$0	$44	$0
Share based compensation expense in research and development expense	10	68	31	68
Share based compensation expense in selling, general and administrative expense	329	340	907	522
Share-based Compensation	$383	$408	$982	$590

EQUITY_Warrants_Details

EQUITY Warrants (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding, Roll Forward [Roll Forward]	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	28,750
Warrants Issued	0
Exercised	-2,954
Weighted average exercise price of warrants exercised	$3.68
Forfeited or expired	-2,796
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	23,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	3.68
Average exercise price warrants expired or forfeited	$3.68
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	3.68
Remaining contractual term warrants	'2 years 2 months 14 days

EQUITY_Net_warrant_exercise_De

EQUITY Net warrant exercise (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Exercised	2,954
Warrants forfeited in cashless exercise	2,796
Warrants exercised	5,750
Weighted average exercise price - cashless exercise	$3.68

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	$799	$814
Derivative Assets	10	112
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	809	926
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	799	814
Derivative Assets	10	112
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	809	926
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	0	0
Derivative Assets	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	0	0
Derivative Assets	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	$4,982	$4,713	$15,931	$14,623
Intersegment Revenue	0	0	39	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	1,059	1,488	4,456	4,174
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	5,615	0	6,731	0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0	'	594	'
Segment depreciation and amortization	364	370	1,096	1,026
Segment share based compensation expense	77	282	145	282
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-10,016	-4,003	-18,430	-9,678
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	2,537	2,988	8,723	9,170
Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	852	984	3,187	3,281
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	0	'	0	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0	'	0	'
Segment depreciation and amortization	65	57	182	173
Segment share based compensation expense	44	0	44	0
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-204	38	110	619
GridSense segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	1,069	977	3,543	2,884
Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	448	423	1,498	1,240
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	0	'	0	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0	'	594	'
Segment depreciation and amortization	77	99	266	288
Segment share based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-812	-1,499	-3,549	-3,556
USSI segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	513	234	1,148	1,317
Intersegment Revenue	0	0	39	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	-688	-168	-1,538	-773
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	0	'	0	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0	'	0	'
Segment depreciation and amortization	106	85	275	238
Segment share based compensation expense	33	282	101	282
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-2,668	-2,230	-6,838	-6,032
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	411	186	1,215	301
Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	177	82	616	53
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	4,225	'	5,341	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0	'	0	'
Segment depreciation and amortization	75	89	252	221
Segment share based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-4,854	-332	-6,686	-639
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	452	328	1,302	951
Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	270	167	693	373
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	1,390	'	1,390	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0	'	0	'
Segment depreciation and amortization	41	40	121	106
Segment share based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	($1,478)	$20	($1,467)	($70)

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Reconciliati

SEGMENT REPORTING Reconciliation of Segment Income (Loss) to Consolidated Net Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Restructuring Charges	$772		$0	$1,366		$0
Total net loss before income taxes for reportable segments	-8,538		-4,023	-16,963		-9,608
Other operational segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-1,478		20	-1,467		-70
Total segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-10,016		-4,003	-18,430		-9,678
Unallocated corporate segment costs	-1,209		-1,300	-3,964		-4,027
Unallocated cost of DSIT and OmniMetrix headquarters	-1,326	[1]	-395	-2,724	[1]	-836
Consolidated loss before income taxes	-12,551		-5,698	-25,118		-14,541
Share based compensation in unallocated costs	190		128	721		309
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]	'		'	'		'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Restructuring Charges	'		'	$772		'
[1]	The nine and three month periods ending September 30, 2013 includes a restructuring charge of $772 associated with OmniMetrix (see Note 4(b))

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 24, 2013	Oct. 18, 2013
		Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	'	526,316	3,508,771
Equity Issuance, Per Share Amount	'	$2.85	$2.85
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	$1,500	$10,000
Net proceeds of public offering after deduction of offering expenses	'	$1,370	$9,134
Warrants issued in capital raise	'	34,211	228,070
Weighted average exercise price of options or warrants granted	$6.79	$3.14	$3.14
Subsequent Event, Term of Contract	'	'5 years	'5 years