Acquisitions of Businesses (Details) (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011 ACTOM Low Voltage [Member] Electrical Rest of World [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 C.I. ESI de Colombia S.A. [Member] Electrical Americas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Internormen Technology Group [Member] Hydraulics [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Eaton-SAMC (Shanghai) Aircraft Conveyance System Manufacturing Co., Ltd [Member] Aerospace [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Tuthill Coupling Group [Member] Hydraulics [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Chloride Phoenixtec Electronics [Member] Electrical Rest of World [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 CopperLogic, Inc. [Member] Electrical Americas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Wright Line Holding, Inc. [Member] Electrical Americas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 EMC Engineers, Inc. [Member] Electrical Americas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 E. Begerow GmbH Co. KG [Member] Hydraulics [Member]
Description of annual sales from acquired entity from previous periods
Revenue reported for last annual period of acquired entity	$ 65	$ 8	$ 55	$ 0	$ 35	$ 25	$ 35	$ 101	$ 24	$ 84