Equity II (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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period			$ 1,473.5	$ 1,463.5
Total comprehensive income	64.5	73.7	142.8	134.8
Stock-based compensation			5.2	5.1
Stock Options Exercised			19.8	17.0
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net			9.3	3.9
Acquisition and surrender of common shares			(50.3)	(84.3)
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation			0.2	0.8
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			(0.7)	(0.7)
Cash dividends declared			(48.7)	(45.8)
Equity, end of period	1,551.1	1,494.3	1,551.1	1,494.3
Hubbell Shareholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Total comprehensive income			141.9	133.9
Stock-based compensation			5.2	5.1
Stock Options Exercised			19.8	17.0
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net			9.3	3.9
Acquisition and surrender of common shares			(50.3)	(84.3)
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation			0.2	0.8
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			0	0
Cash dividends declared			(48.7)	(45.8)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period			5.7	4.3
Total comprehensive income			0.9	0.9
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Stock Options Exercised			0	0
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net			0	0
Acquisition and surrender of common shares			0	0
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation			0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			(0.7)	(0.7)
Cash dividends declared			0	0
Equity, end of period	$ 5.9	$ 4.5	$ 5.9	$ 4.5