Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 4,090	$ 3,378	$ 7,893	$ 6,481
Segment operating profit	566	403	1,059	741
Amortization of intangible assets	(48)	(43)	(96)	(88)
Interest expense-net	(31)	(34)	(63)	(69)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(37)	(29)	(70)	(61)
Other corporate expense-net	(54)	(46)	(99)	(85)
Income before income taxes	396	251	731	438
Income tax expense	58	22	107	53
Net income	338	229	624	385
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(2)	(3)	(1)	(4)
Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders	336	226	623	381
Electrical Americas [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,033	894	1,997	1,696
Segment operating profit	144	120	276	225
Electrical Rest of World [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	787	665	1,530	1,273
Segment operating profit	77	60	147	102
Hydraulics [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	728	568	1,413	1,058
Segment operating profit	120	77	226	131
Aerospace [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	409	370	798	746
Segment operating profit	50	48	95	97
Truck [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	673	492	1,249	945
Segment operating profit	120	59	210	105
Automotive [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	460	389	906	763
Segment operating profit	$ 55	$ 39	$ 105	$ 81