REVENUE RECOGNITION - Schedule of the Impact of Adoption of ASU 2014-09 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Income
Net sales	$ 5,251	$ 4,848
Cost of products sold	3,573	3,307
Income before income taxes	565	467
Income tax expense	78	33
Net income	487	434
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	488	$ 434
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	4,005		$ 3,844	$ 3,943
Inventory	2,745			2,620
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	552		808	679
Deferred income taxes	356		254	253
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	1,861		$ 1,905	1,872
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Adjustment
Consolidated Statements of Income
Net sales	(7)
Cost of products sold	(4)
Income before income taxes	(3)
Income tax expense	(1)
Net income	(2)
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	(2)
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	107
Inventory	3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(139)
Deferred income taxes	(1)
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	(30)
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Consolidated Statements of Income
Net sales	5,244
Cost of products sold	3,569
Income before income taxes	562
Income tax expense	77
Net income	485
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	486
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	4,112			3,943
Inventory	2,748
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	413			679
Deferred income taxes	355			253
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	$ 1,831			$ 1,872