BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 5,533		$ 5,487		$ 10,838	$ 10,738
Corporate
Interest expense - net	63		68		129	138
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense					(75)	(82)
Other corporate expense - net	(23)		8		(33)	6
Income before income taxes	738		694		1,341	1,259
Income tax expense	102		83		183	161
Net income	636	$ 522	611	$ 487	1,158	1,098
Less net loss (income) for noncontrolling interests	0		(1)		0	0
Net Income Attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	636		610		1,158	1,098
Electrical Products
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,849		1,806		3,609	3,538
Electrical Systems and Services
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,582		1,513		3,046	2,894
Hydraulics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	698		723		1,384	1,433
Aerospace
Business Segment Information
Net sales	517		463		1,019	921
Vehicle
Business Segment Information
Net sales	803		899		1,613	1,792
eMobility
Business Segment Information
Net sales	84		83		167	160
Total business segments
Business Segment Information
Net sales	5,533		5,487		10,838	10,738
Segment operating profit	986		932		1,832	1,728
Total business segments | Electrical Products
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,849		1,806		3,609	3,538
Segment operating profit	361		334		692	641
Total business segments | Electrical Systems and Services
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,582		1,513		3,046	2,894
Segment operating profit	275		227		467	394
Total business segments | Hydraulics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	698		723		1,384	1,433
Segment operating profit	80		101		160	191
Total business segments | Aerospace
Business Segment Information
Net sales	517		463		1,019	921
Segment operating profit	127		90		243	179
Total business segments | Vehicle
Business Segment Information
Net sales	803		899		1,613	1,792
Segment operating profit	136		166		258	298
Total business segments | eMobility
Business Segment Information
Net sales	84		83		167	160
Segment operating profit	7		14		12	25
Corporate
Corporate
Amortization of intangible assets	(94)		(96)		(187)	(194)
Interest expense - net	(63)		(68)		(129)	(138)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(2)		1		(2)	(1)
Other corporate expense - net	$ (89)		$ (75)		$ (173)	$ (136)