Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 948.3	$ 908.8	$ 1,800.6	$ 1,743.6
Cost of goods sold	653.6	615.3	1,244.1	1,190.2
Gross profit	294.7	293.5	556.5	553.4
Selling & administrative expenses	164.1	161.4	321.8	319.4
Operating income	130.6	132.1	234.7	234.0
Interest expense, net	(11.6)	(11.3)	(22.7)	(20.3)
Other (expense) income, net	(2.3)	(4.0)	(4.4)	(5.3)
Total other expense	(13.9)	(15.3)	(27.1)	(25.6)
Income before income taxes	116.7	116.8	207.6	208.4
Provision for income taxes	35.9	34.8	62.9	64.4
Net income	80.8	82.0	144.7	144.0
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1.7	1.0	2.8	2.1
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 79.1	$ 81.0	$ 141.9	$ 141.9
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.44	$ 1.46	$ 2.57	$ 2.54
Diluted (USD per share)	1.43	1.45	2.56	2.53
Cash dividends per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.7	$ 0.63	$ 1.4	$ 1.26