Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 16,049	$ 13,715	$ 11,873
Cost of products sold	11,261	9,633	8,782
Selling and administrative expense	2,738	2,486	2,252
Research and development expense	417	425	395
Interest expense-net	118	136	150
Other income-net	(38)	(1)	(9)
Income before income taxes	1,553	1,036	303
Income tax expense (benefit)	201	99	(82)
Net income	1,352	937	385
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(2)	(8)	(2)
Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders	$ 1,350	$ 929	$ 383
Net income per common share
Diluted	$ 3.93	$ 2.73	$ 1.14
Basic	$ 3.98	$ 2.76	$ 1.16
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted	342.8	339.5	335.8
Basic	338.3	335.5	332.7
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 1.36	$ 1.08	$ 1.00