Sales Revenue, Net Net sales Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling and administrative expense Research and Development Expense Research and development expense Other income-net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - basic Basic Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Cash dividends paid per common share Cash Inventory, Net Total inventory Inventory Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment-net Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other intangible assets Assets, Current Total current assets Total assets Short-term Borrowings Short-term debt Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Eaton shareholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and equity Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other-net Net cash provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Payments of Dividends Cash dividends paid Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Total decrease in cash Cash at the beginning of the period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash at the end of the period Noncontrolling interests Current liabilities Current assets Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Operating activities Cost of Revenue Cost of products sold Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Current portion of long-term debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt Acquisitions of Businesses. Acquisitions of Businesses [Abstract] Acquisitions of Businesses [Abstract] ACQUISITIONS OF BUSINESSES RETIREMENT BENEFITS PLANS RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS EXPENSE INCOME TAXES Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES Available-for-sale Securities, Current Short-term investments Earnings Per Share Abstract Net income per common share Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Adjustment for net income (loss) for noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total equity Pension liabilities Other postretirement benefits liabilities Accounts payable Accrued compensation Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Accounts receivable-net Receivables, Net, Current Sales of short-term investments-net Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Maturing in Three Months or Less Borrowings (payments) with original maturities of less than three months-net (primarily commercial paper) Interest expense net Interest expense-net Interest expense-net Interest expense-net. Payments of original maturities of more than three months Payments Payments of original maturities of more than three months. Other-net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Income loss from continuing operations before income taxes Income before income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes. Other-net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash Goodwill Assets Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts Payable, Current Employee-related Liabilities, Current Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Adjustments to reconcile to net cash used in operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] EQUITY Equity [Abstract] Eaton Shareholders' Equity Inventory [Abstract] Components of inventories Retirement Benefits Plans [Abstract] Retirement Benefits Plans [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Shareholders' equity Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Acquisitions of Businesses (Details) [Abstract] Acquisitions of Businesses (Details) [Abstract] Acquisitions Of Businesses Details. Acquisitions of Businesses (Tables) [Abstract] Acquisitions of Businesses Tables. Segment One [Member] Electrical Rest of World [Member] Segment One Member. Segment Two Member Hydraulics [Member] Segment two. Segment Three Member Automotive [Member] Segment Three Member. Restructuring Reserve Ending Balance Beginning Balance Employee Severance [Member] Employees [Member] Facility Closing [Member] Plant closing and other [Member] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Segment, Business [Domain] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Workforce Reduction & Plant Closing Liabilities Restructuring Reserve Employees Beginning Balance, employees Restructuring reserve, Employees Ending Balance, employees utilization of various components. Utilization of various components, employees. Utilization Of Various Components Employees Utilized, employees Utilization Of Various Components Utilized Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Description Of Annual Sales From Acquired Entity From Previous Periods Text Block Description of annual sales from acquired entity from previous periods Description Of Annual Sales From Acquired Entity From Previous Periods Text Block. Business Acquisition Three Member EMC Engineers, Inc. [Member] Business Acquisition Three Member. Description of annual sales from acquired entity from previous periods Abstract Description of annual sales from acquired entity from previous periods Description of annual sales from acquired entity from previous periods. Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Retirement Benefits Plans (Details) [Abstract] Retirement Benefits Plans Details. Acquisition Integration Charges [Text Block] Acquisition Integration Charges Acquisition Integration Charges Text Block. Acquisition Integration Charges [Abstract] Acquisition Integration Charges Acquisition Integration Charges Abstract. Acquisition Integration Pretax Charges Total integration charges before income taxes Acquisition Integration Pretax Charges. Acquisition Integration After Tax Charges After-tax integration charges Acquisition Integration After Tax Charges. Acquisition Integration Charges Per Common Share Per common share Acquisition Integration Charges Per Common Share. Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Other postretirement benefit expense [Member] Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Service cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses) Amortization Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net (Gain) Loss Due to Settlements Settlement loss Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Total expense Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Retirement benefit plans expense Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures, Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Segment Four Member Electrical Americas [Member] Segment Four Member. Segment Five Member Aerospace [Member] Segment Five Member. Sales of Acquired Businesses Sales of acquired businesses Sales of Acquired Businesses. Income Taxes (Details) [Abstract] Income Taxes Details Abstract. Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract] Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract] Income Taxes Textuals Abstract. Inventories Text Block Components of inventories Inventories. Inventory, Raw Materials Raw materials Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Less dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock awards Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Text Block] Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps Related long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps. Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Other Observable inputs Level 2) [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] Long Term Debt Carrying value of long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt FIFO Inventory Amount Inventories at FIFO Excess of Replacement or Current Costs over Stated LIFO Value Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Domain] Debt Instrument, Fair Value Fair value of long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) Segment operating profit Segment Reporting Information, Amortization Expense Amortization of intangible assets Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Expense Pension and other postretirement benefits expense Pension & other postretirement benefits expense. Other Corporate Expense Net Other corporate expense-net Other corporate expense-net. Business Segment Reporting Text Block Business Segment Information Business Segment Information. Other Liabilities [Member] Other current liabilities [Member] Other long-term assets [Member] Included In Other Long Term Assets. Derivative Financial Instruments Recognized In The Consolidated Balance Sheet Text Block Derivative financial instruments recognized in the consolidated Balance sheet Derivative financial instruments recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Derivative Financial Instruments Recognized In Net Income Text Block Amounts recognized in net income Derivative financial instruments recognized in net income. Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument Derivative Asset Designated as Hedging Instrument, Fair Value Derivative Liability Designated as Hedging Instrument, Fair Value Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument Derivative Asset Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, Fair Value Derivative asset not designated as hedging instrument Derivative Liability Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, Fair Value Derivative liability not designated as hedging instrument Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net Gain (loss) recognized in net income Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings Gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss Gain (loss) reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Commodity Contract [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Interest Expense [Member] Segment Reporting, Entity Consolidated Revenue [Abstract] Business Segment Information Segment Seven Member Truck [Member] Segment Seven Member. Interest Rate Contract [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member] Other Assets [Member] Other current assets [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Cost of Sales [Member] Pension Expense Contributions to pension plans Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share Effective Tax Rate For Income Tax Expense With Out One Time Charges Effective tax rate Effective tax rate for income tax expense with out one time charges. Business Acquisition [Line Items] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items] Schedule of Acquisition Integration Charges [Table] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Business Acquisition Four Member Wright Line Holding, Inc. [Member] Business Acquisition Four Member. Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] Cross currency swaps (net investment hedges) [Member] Proceeds From Borrowings With Original Maturities Of More Than Three Months Proceeds Proceeds from borrowings with original maturities of more than three months. Proceeds From Payments For Borrowings With Original Maturities Of More Than Three Months Abstract Borrowings with original maturities of more than three months Proceeds from payments for borrowings with original maturities of more than three months. Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract] Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities, Noncurrent Total noncurrent liabilities Total Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton common shareholders Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Noncurrent liabilities Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Exercise of employee stock options Assets [Abstract] Assets Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Total cost for the repurchase of shares Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Number of shares repurchased in the open market Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair value measurements. LEGAL CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges (Tables) [Abstract] Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges. Summary Of Acquisition Integration Workforce Reduction Plant Closing Liabilities Text Block Summary of acquisition integration workforce reduction plant closing liabilities. Summary of Acquisition Integration, Workforce Reduction & Plant Closing Liabilities Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges (Details) [Abstract] Acquisition Integration And Restructuring Charges. Liabilities Recognized Employees Liabilities recognized employees. Liabilities recognized, employees Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Other noncurrent assets Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Liabilities Recognized Liabilities recognized Liabilities recognized. Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables) [Abstract] Retirement benefit plans. United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member] United States pension benefit expense [Member] Inventory Finished Goods Finished goods Inventory Work In Process Work-in-process Defined Benefit Plan Pension Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Text Block Retirement benefit plans expense Defined Benefit Plan Pension Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost. Benefit Plans Total benefit plans Total Benefit Plans. Fair Value Measurements (Tables) [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements. Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements. Derivative, Fair Value, Net Net derivative contracts Summary Of Financial Instruments Recognized At Fair Value And Fair Value Measurement Used Abstract Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used. Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used Fair Value Measurements Textuals Abstract Fair Value Measurements. Fair Value Measurements (Textuals) [Abstract] Number Of Common Shares Authorized For Repurchase Number of shares authorized for repurchase under repurchase plan Number of Common shares authorized for repurchase. Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Calculation of net income per common share attributable to common shareholders Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Abstract] Derivative financial instruments recognized in the consolidated Balance sheet Amounts Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Abstract Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income Amounts Recognized In Net Income Abstract Amounts recognized in net income. Amounts recognized in net income Derivative Financial Instruments Amounts Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Text Block Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract] Notional Amount of Derivative Instruments Designated as Net Investment Hedges Notional amount Notional Amount of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Notional amount Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges [Abstract] Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges. Acquisition Integration And Restructuring Charges Text Block Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges. Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Restructuring [Table] Restructuring Reserve, by Type of Restructuring [Axis] Restructuring Reserve [Line Items] Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables) [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments And Hedging Activities Tables. Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities. Stock Dividend Percentage Stock Dividend Percentage Stock Dividend Percentage. Business Acquisition Thirteen Member Chloride Phoenixtec Electronics [Member] Business Acquisition Thirteen. Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Non-United States pension benefit expense [Member] Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split Common shares Stock Split Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Fair Value Hedging [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Net Investment Hedging [Member] Provision for exchange rate before tax Pre-tax provision recognized by the company Provision for exchange rate before tax. Tuthill Coupling Group [Member] Tuthill coupling group. Actom Pty Limited [Member] Actom (pty) Limited. Copper Logic Inc Member CopperLogic, Inc. [Member] CopperLogic, Inc. Other Assets, Current Other current assets Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] BASIS OF PRESENTATION Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] INVENTORY Business Segment Information [Abstract] Business Segment Information. Business Segment Information Text Block BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Business Segment Information. Basis of Presentation (Details) [Abstract] Basis of Presentation. Basis Of Presentation Textuals Abstract Basis of Presentation. Basis of Presentation (Textuals) [Abstract] Internormen Technology Group [Member] Internormen Technology Group. Equity (Tables) [Abstract] Equity. Equity (Details) [Abstract] Equity. Change In Total Equity Text Block Change in Total equity Change in Total Equity. Change In Total Equity Abstract Change in Total Equity. Changes in Total equity Parent [Member] Eaton Shareholders' Equity [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income Total comprehensive income (loss) Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Cash dividends paid Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans-net Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation and related hedging instruments Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax Pensions and other postretirement benefits Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Cash flow hedges Statement [Table] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Equity Textuals Abstract Equity. Equity (Textuals) [Abstract] Derivatives Designated As Hedges Abstract Derivatives designated as hedges Derivatives designated as hedges. Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges Abstract Derivatives not designated as hedges. Derivatives not designated as hedges Period of derivatives designated as hedges Period of derivatives designated as hedges Period of derivatives designated as hedges. Period of derivatives not designated as hedges Period of derivatives not designated as hedges Period of derivatives not designated as hedges. Percentage of intercompany balance sheet exposure Eaton's target percentage of managing intercompany balance sheet exposure Percentage of intercompany balance sheet exposure. Inventory (Tables) [Abstract] Inventory. Inventory (Details) [Abstract] Inventory. Business Segment Information (Tables) [Abstract] Business segment information. Business Segment Information (Details) [Abstract] Business segment information. Components of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Note [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract] Calculation of net income per common share attributable to common shareholders Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Adjustment for comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Related Long Term Debt Converted To Floating Interest Rates By Interest Rate Swaps [Member] Related Long Term Debt Converted To Floating Interest Rates By Interest Rate Swaps. Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other noncurrent liabilities Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Repurchase of shares Repurchase of shares Legal Contingencies [Abstract] Legal contingencies. Legal Contingencies (Details) [Abstract] Legal contingencies. Legal Contingencies Textuals Abstract Legal contingencies. Legal Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract] Number of Reais Recognized By Company Number of reais recognized by company. Number of reais recognized by company Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital Changes in working capital Motion For Entry Of Final Judgment Of Liability Description Motion for entry of final judgment of liability regarding Meritor suit Motion for entry of final judgment of liability description. Eaton Samc Shanghai Aircraft Conveyance System Manufacturing Company Limited [Member] Eaton-SAMC (Shanghai) Aircraft Conveyance System Manufacturing Co., Ltd [Member] Eaton-SAMC (Shanghai) Aircraft Conveyance System Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Components of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)