Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [IncomeStatement]
Net sales	$ 855.8	$ 801.3	$ 1,615.3	$ 1,541.4
Cost of good sold	563.3	529.3	1,077.8	1,033.1
Gross profit	292.5	272.0	537.5	508.3
Selling & administrative expenses	148.8	139.9	289.0	278.5
Operating income	143.7	132.1	248.5	229.8
Interest expense, net	(7.0)	(7.3)	(14.5)	(14.6)
Other (expense) income, net	(0.3)	(2.0)	(1.5)	(1.2)
Total other expense, net	(7.3)	(9.3)	(16.0)	(15.8)
Income before income taxes	136.4	122.8	232.5	214.0
Provision for income taxes	45.6	39.8	76.4	64.2
Net income	90.8	83.0	156.1	149.8
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.6	0.9	1.7	1.8
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 90.2	$ 82.1	$ 154.4	$ 148.0
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract]
Basic	$ 1.53	$ 1.38	$ 2.61	$ 2.49
Diluted	$ 1.51	$ 1.37	$ 2.59	$ 2.47
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.50	$ 0.45	$ 1.00	$ 0.90