Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 950.5	$ 907.4	$ 2,751.1	$ 2,651.0
Cost of goods sold	643.6	618.7	1,887.7	1,808.9
Gross profit	306.9	288.7	863.4	842.1
Selling & administrative expenses	160.5	152.7	482.3	472.1
Operating income	146.4	136.0	381.1	370.0
Interest expense, net	(11.6)	(11.6)	(34.3)	(31.9)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(10.1)	0.0	(10.1)	0.0
Other (expense) income, net	(1.1)	(0.3)	(5.5)	(5.6)
Total other expense	(22.8)	(11.9)	(49.9)	(37.5)
Income before income taxes	123.6	124.1	331.2	332.5
Provision for income taxes	40.8	36.0	103.7	100.4
Net income	82.8	88.1	227.5	232.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2.0	1.4	4.8	3.5
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 80.8	$ 86.7	$ 222.7	$ 228.6
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.47	$ 1.56	$ 4.05	$ 4.10
Diluted (USD per share)	1.47	1.56	4.02	4.08
Cash dividends per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.7	$ 0.63	$ 2.1	$ 1.89