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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GkRMAz3yHKrqLmDHsSU7xrN9ry/9oZUKGyR3N/8pYTWpMQlhrxpFw0AMhtKDp80V
 KjE84kLaeAi81cIrFEdBPQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000891109-03-000039.txt : 20031002
<SEC-HEADER>0000891109-03-000039.hdr.sgml : 20031002
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031002154745
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000891109-03-000039
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031002

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CRAIG ARNOLD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188578

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-56644
		FILM NUMBER:		03924298

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		EATON CENTER
		STREET 2:		1111 SUPERIOR AVENUE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114-2584
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2165235000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EATON CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000031277
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES [3714]
		IRS NUMBER:				340196300
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		EATON CTR
		STREET 2:		1111 SUPERIOR AVE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114-2584
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2165235000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1111 SUPERIOR AVENUE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EATON YALE & TOWNE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710822
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-09-30</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000031277</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EATON CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ETN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188578</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CRAIG ARNOLD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr VP and Group Exec Fluid Pwr</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Shares</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-09-30</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>5308.00</value>
              <footnoteId id="F1" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>88.61</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>51357.00</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Shares</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>27.86</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>by trustee of ESP</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
  </derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">These shares were delivered to the issuer to pay for the applicable withholding tax due upon vesting of certain shares of restric
ted stock.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">Certain of these shares represent restricted shares issued under an Eaton Corporation stock plan and are subject to risk of forfe
iture.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F3">Eaton Savings Plan</footnote>
</footnotes>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>/s/ Craig Arnold, by /s/ Claudia J. Taller, Attorney-in Fact</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-10-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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