BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 5,412	$ 5,211	$ 16,150	$ 15,191
Corporate
Interest expense - net	67	60	205	181
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense			(123)	(161)
Pre-tax gain on sale of consolidated subsidiary and remaining investment in joint venture	0	1,077	0	1,077
Arbitration decision expense	275	0	275	0
Other corporate expense - net	7	19	13	24
Income before income taxes	439	1,694	1,698	2,733
Income tax expense	23	293	184	381
Net income	416	1,401	1,514	2,352
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	(1)
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	416	1,401	1,514	2,351
Electrical Products
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,789		5,327
Electrical Systems and Services
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,519		4,413
Hydraulics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	670		2,103
Aerospace
Business Segment Information
Net sales	478		1,399
Vehicle
Business Segment Information
Net sales	876		2,668
eMobility
Business Segment Information
Net sales	80		240
Total business segments [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	5,412	5,211	16,150	15,191
Segment operating profit	952	856	2,680	2,357
Total business segments [Member] | Electrical Products
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,789	1,785	5,327	5,167
Segment operating profit	343	330	984	915
Total business segments [Member] | Electrical Systems and Services
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,519	1,421	4,413	4,168
Segment operating profit	234	196	628	545
Total business segments [Member] | Hydraulics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	670	634	2,103	1,854
Segment operating profit	94	80	285	214
Total business segments [Member] | Aerospace
Business Segment Information
Net sales	478	438	1,399	1,303
Segment operating profit	105	84	284	244
Total business segments [Member] | Vehicle
Business Segment Information
Net sales	876	858	2,668	2,489
Segment operating profit	166	150	464	399
Total business segments [Member] | eMobility
Business Segment Information
Net sales	80	75	240	210
Segment operating profit	10	16	35	40
Corporate [Member]
Corporate
Amortization of intangible assets	(95)	(98)	(289)	(288)
Interest expense - net	(67)	(60)	(205)	(181)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(3)	(16)	(4)	(38)
Pre-tax gain on sale of consolidated subsidiary and remaining investment in joint venture	0	1,077	0	1,077
Arbitration decision expense	(275)	0	(275)	0
Other corporate expense - net	$ (73)	$ (65)	$ (209)	$ (194)