Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income [IncomeStatement]
Net Sales	$ 740.1	$ 723.8
Cost of good sold	503.8	489.7
Gross Profit	236.3	234.1
Selling & administrative expenses	138.6	132.4
Operating income	97.7	101.7
Interest expense, net	(7.3)	(7.2)
Other (expense) income, net	0.8	0.1
Total other expense, net	(6.5)	(7.1)
Income before income taxes	91.2	94.6
Provision for income taxes	24.4	31.0
Net income	66.8	63.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.9	0.4
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 65.9	$ 63.2
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract]
Basic	$ 1.11	$ 1.06
Diluted	$ 1.10	$ 1.05
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.45	$ 0.41