EQUITY - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			$ (537)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss			111
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$ (98)	$ 199	(426)	$ 785
Currency translation and related hedging instruments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(2,255)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(546)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss			0
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders			(546)
Ending balance	(2,801)		(2,801)
Pensions and other postretirement benefits
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(1,139)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			20
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss			102
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders			122
Ending balance	(1,017)		(1,017)
Cash flow hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(10)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(11)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss			9
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders			(2)
Ending balance	(12)		(12)
Total AOCI
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(3,404)
Ending balance	$ (3,830)		$ (3,830)