Name:	us-gaap_GeographicAreasLongLivedAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 280

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 41

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLossAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=hubb_InternationalGeographicMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Industry Segments and Geographic Area Information Geographic Area (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 848.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 895.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 855.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 759.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 806.6us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 835.9us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 801.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 740.1us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 3,359.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 3,183.9us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 3,044.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Operating Income:
Operating Income									517.4us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	507.6us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	471.8us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Long-lived Assets:
Long-Lived Assets	1,692.2us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets				1,553.7us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets				1,692.2us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets	1,553.7us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets	1,452.4us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets
United States
Net Sales:
Net sales									2,883.8	2,687.6	2,541.6
Operating Income:
Operating Income									447.2	417.5	383.8
Long-lived Assets:
Long-Lived Assets	1,492.5				1,341.4				1,492.5	1,341.4	1,225.4
International
Net Sales:
Net sales									475.6	496.3	502.8
Operating Income:
Operating Income									70.2	90.1	88.0
Long-lived Assets:
Long-Lived Assets	$ 199.7				$ 212.3				$ 199.7	$ 212.3	$ 227.0