Derivatives designated as hedges.

Name:	etn_DerivativesDesignatedAsHedgesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	etn
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Derivatives not designated as hedges.

+ Details

Name:	etn_DerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	etn
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The (gain) or loss on commodity contracts not designated as hedges classified in cost of goods sold

+ Details

Name:	etn_GainLossOnCommodityContractsNotDesignatedAsHedgesClassifiedInCostOfGoodsSold
Namespace Prefix:	etn
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of intercompany balance sheet exposure.

+ Details

Name:	etn_PercentageOfIntercompanyBalanceSheetExposure
Namespace Prefix:	etn
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of derivatives designated as hedges.

+ Details

Name:	etn_PeriodOfDerivativesDesignatedAsHedges
Namespace Prefix:	etn
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of derivatives not designated as hedges.

+ Details

Name:	etn_PeriodOfDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedges
Namespace Prefix:	etn
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph a

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 107

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as a liability.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfDerivativeInstrumentsDesignatedAsNetInvestmentHedges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member] Other long-term assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member] Other long-term assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other long-term assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other long-term assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other long-term assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other long-term assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Net Investment Hedging [Member] Cross currency swaps (net investment hedges) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Net Investment Hedging [Member] Cross currency swaps (net investment hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Net Investment Hedging [Member] Cross currency swaps (net investment hedges) [Member] Other long-term assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Net Investment Hedging [Member] Cross currency swaps (net investment hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Foreign currency exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commodity contracts (cash flow hedges) [Member] Other current liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other current assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other current assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other long-term assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other long-term assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other current liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Percentage of intercompany balance sheet exposure		100.00%
Derivatives designated as hedges
Notional amount			$ 540	$ 540							$ 331	$ 227							$ 50	$ 39							$ 75
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument					0	0	67	42					5	4	0	0					0	8	0	0				2	0														5	14	67	42
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument									0	0							12	5							12	0				0																	24	5
Period of derivatives designated as hedges			2 to 23 years	2 to 23 years							12 to 36 months	12 to 36 months							12 months	12 months							12 months
Derivatives not designated as hedges
Notional amount																															2,845	2,777					114	102
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument					0	0	67	42					5	4	0	0					0	8	0	0				2	0														5	14	67	42
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, asset, at fair value																																	24	20					0	17			24	37
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument									0	0							12	5							12	0				0																	24	5
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, liability, at fair value																																			25	19					22	0					47	19
Period of derivatives not designated as hedges																															12 months	12 months					12 months	12 months
Period of derivatives designated as hedges			2 to 23 years	2 to 23 years							12 to 36 months	12 to 36 months							12 months	12 months							12 months
(Gain) loss on commodity contracts not designated as hedges classified in cost of goods sold	$ 23	$ 19