Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,390.4	$ 3,359.4	$ 3,183.9
Cost of goods sold	2,298.6	2,250.4	2,113.4
Gross profit	1,091.8	1,109.0	1,070.5
Selling & administrative expenses	617.2	591.6	562.9
Operating income	474.6	517.4	507.6
Interest expense	(31.0)	(31.2)	(30.8)
Investment income	0.5	1.1	1.3
Other expense, net	(25.5)	(1.8)	(4.3)
Total other expense	(56.0)	(31.9)	(33.8)
Income before income taxes	418.6	485.5	473.8
Provision for income taxes	136.5	158.3	144.0
Net income	282.1	327.2	329.8
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	4.8	1.9	3.3
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HUBBELL	$ 277.3	$ 325.3	$ 326.5
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 4.79	$ 5.51	$ 5.51
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 4.77	$ 5.48	$ 5.47