Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 3,960	$ 3,803
Segment operating profit	544	493
Amortization of intangible assets	(42)	(48)
Interest expense-net	(28)	(32)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(41)	(33)
Other corporate expense-net	(65)	(45)
Income before income taxes	368	335
Income tax expense	57	49
Net income	311	286
Adjustment for net loss for noncontrolling interests	0	1
Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders	311	287
Electrical Americas [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,087	964
Segment operating profit	162	132
Electrical Rest of World [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	651	743
Segment operating profit	53	70
Hydraulics [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	735	685
Segment operating profit	109	106
Aerospace [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	430	389
Segment operating profit	60	45
Truck [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	631	576
Segment operating profit	116	90
Automotive [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	426	446
Segment operating profit	$ 44	$ 50