Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 4,068	$ 4,090	$ 8,028	$ 7,893
Segment operating profit	592	566	1,136	1,059
Amortization of intangible assets	(42)	(48)	(84)	(96)
Interest expense-net	(30)	(31)	(58)	(63)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(39)	(37)	(80)	(70)
Other corporate expense-net	(62)	(54)	(127)	(99)
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
Electrical Americas [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,133	1,033	2,220	1,997
Segment operating profit	190	144	352	276
Electrical Rest of World [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	683	787	1,334	1,530
Segment operating profit	52	77	105	147
Hydraulics [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	769	728	1,504	1,413
Segment operating profit	123	120	232	226
Aerospace [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	436	409	866	798
Segment operating profit	59	50	119	95
Truck [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	625	673	1,256	1,249
Segment operating profit	120	120	236	210
Automotive [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	422	460	848	906
Segment operating profit	$ 48	$ 55	$ 92	$ 105