Business Segment and Geographic Region Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total integration charges before income taxes	$ 14	$ 40	$ 82
Business Segment Information
Net sales	16,049	13,715	11,873
Segment operating profit	2,260	1,700	950
Amortization of intangible assets	(190)	(181)	(170)
Interest expense-net	(118)	(136)	(150)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(142)	(120)	(212)
Other corporate expense-net	(257)	(227)	(115)
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
Number of customers where net sales exceeded 10%	0	0	0
Electrical Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total integration charges before income taxes	8	2	4
Business Segment Information
Net sales	4,192	3,675	3,410
Segment operating profit	605	529	518
Electrical Rest of World [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total integration charges before income taxes	2	33	60
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,984	2,748	2,483
Segment operating profit	278	264	107
Hydraulics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total integration charges before income taxes	4	1	3
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,835	2,212	1,692
Segment operating profit	438	279	51
Aerospace [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total integration charges before income taxes	0	4	12
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,648	1,536	1,602
Segment operating profit	244	220	245
Truck [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,644	1,997	1,457
Segment operating profit	486	245	39
Automotive [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total integration charges before income taxes	0	0	1
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,746	1,547	1,229
Segment operating profit	209	163	(10)
All Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total integration charges before income taxes	$ 14	$ 40	$ 80