Equity II (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period	$ 1,667.9	$ 1,473.5
Total comprehensive income	60.9	78.3
Stock-based compensation	2.8	2.8
Stock Options Exercised	0.8	18.3
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net	4.4	8.6
Acquisition and surrender of common shares	(5.8)	(49.8)
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation	0.1	0.2
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	(0.4)	(0.4)
Cash dividends declared	(26.7)	(24.4)
Equity, end of period	1,704.0	1,507.1
Hubbell Shareholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period	1,661.2	1,467.8
Total comprehensive income	60.0	77.9
Stock-based compensation	2.8	2.8
Stock Options Exercised	0.8	18.3
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net	4.4	8.6
Acquisition and surrender of common shares	(5.8)	(49.8)
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation	0.1	0.2
Dividends to noncontrolling interest		0
Cash dividends declared	(26.7)	(24.4)
Equity, end of period	1,696.8	1,501.4
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period	6.7	5.7
Total comprehensive income	0.9	0.4
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	(0.4)	(0.4)
Cash dividends declared	0	0
Equity, end of period	$ 7.2	$ 5.7