Exhibit 23(a)


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Eaton Corporation
for the registration of $250,000,000 of debt and equity securities and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 20, 2003, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Eaton Corporation included
in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
June 27, 2003