Industry Segments and Geographic Area Information Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Export sales from United States	$ 234.5hubb_ExportSalesFromUnitedStates	$ 213.0hubb_ExportSalesFromUnitedStates	$ 243.9hubb_ExportSalesFromUnitedStates
Net Sales Total \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	14.00%	16.00%	17.00%
Long-lived assets Total \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	12.00%	14.00%	16.00%
SWITZERLAND \| International Net Sales \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	10.00%
CANADA \| International Net Sales \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	31.00%
CANADA \| International Long-lived assets \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	18.00%
UNITED KINGDOM \| International Net Sales \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	26.00%
UNITED KINGDOM \| International Long-lived assets \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	28.00%
MEXICO \| International Net Sales \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	10.00%
MEXICO \| International Long-lived assets \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	20.00%
BRAZIL \| International Net Sales \| Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	10.00%