Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,068	$ 4,090	$ 8,028	$ 7,893
Cost of products sold	2,815	2,862	5,569	5,544
Selling and administrative expense	690	698	1,392	1,363
Research and development expense	106	107	211	212
Interest expense-net	30	31	58	63
Other expense (income)-net	8	(4)	11	(20)
Income before income taxes	419	396	787	731
Income tax expense	37	58	94	107
Net income	382	338	693	624
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	0	(2)	0	(1)
Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders	$ 382	$ 336	$ 693	$ 623
Net income per common share
Diluted	$ 1.12	$ 0.97	$ 2.04	$ 1.80
Basic	$ 1.13	$ 0.99	$ 2.06	$ 1.83
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted	339.5	345.7	339.6	345.7
Basic	337.0	340.9	336.2	340.5
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.38	$ 0.34	$ 0.76	$ 0.68