Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 4,123	$ 3,571	$ 12,016	$ 10,052
Segment operating profit	599	471	1,658	1,212
Amortization of intangible assets	(47)	(46)	(143)	(134)
Interest expense-net	(29)	(33)	(92)	(102)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(35)	(30)	(105)	(91)
Other corporate expense-net	(56)	(57)	(155)	(142)
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
Electrical Americas [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,074	967	3,071	2,663
Segment operating profit	156	141	432	366
Electrical Rest of World [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	755	707	2,285	1,980
Segment operating profit	62	81	209	183
Hydraulics [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	717	583	2,130	1,641
Segment operating profit	109	76	335	207
Aerospace [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	420	390	1,218	1,136
Segment operating profit	71	60	166	157
Truck [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	715	534	1,964	1,479
Segment operating profit	139	74	349	179
Automotive [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	442	390	1,348	1,153
Segment operating profit	$ 62	$ 39	$ 167	$ 120