Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,123	$ 3,571	$ 12,016	$ 10,052
Cost of products sold	2,900	2,480	8,444	7,068
Selling and administrative expense	668	651	2,031	1,842
Research and development expense	104	104	316	308
Interest expense-net	29	33	92	102
Other income-net	(10)	(2)	(30)	(11)
Income before income taxes	432	305	1,163	743
Income tax expense	65	36	172	89
Net income	367	269	991	654
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(2)	(1)	(3)	(5)
Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders	$ 365	$ 268	$ 988	$ 649
Net income per common share
Diluted	$ 1.07	$ 0.78	$ 2.86	$ 1.90
Basic	$ 1.07	$ 0.80	$ 2.90	$ 1.93
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted	341.9	340.6	344.4	340.1
Basic	338.1	335.2	339.7	334.7
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.34	$ 0.29	$ 1.02	$ 0.79