Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,950	$ 4,123	$ 11,978	$ 12,016
Cost of products sold	2,747	2,900	8,316	8,444
Selling and administrative expense	687	668	2,079	2,031
Research and development expense	102	104	313	316
Interest expense-net	42	29	100	92
Other (income) expense-net	(4)	(10)	7	(30)
Income before income taxes	376	432	1,163	1,163
Income tax expense	29	65	123	172
Net income	347	367	1,040	991
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(2)	(2)	(2)	(3)
Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders	$ 345	$ 365	$ 1,038	$ 988
Net income per common share
Diluted	$ 1.02	$ 1.07	$ 3.05	$ 2.86
Basic	$ 1.02	$ 1.07	$ 3.08	$ 2.90
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted	339.8	341.9	339.7	344.4
Basic	337.6	338.1	336.7	339.7
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.76	$ 0.34	$ 1.52	$ 1.02