Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,668.8	$ 3,505.2	$ 3,390.4
Cost of goods sold	2,516.9	2,404.5	2,298.6
Gross profit	1,151.9	1,100.7	1,091.8
Selling & administrative expenses	648.2	622.9	617.2
Operating income	503.7	477.8	474.6
Interest expense	(44.9)	(43.4)	(31.0)
Investment income	0.9	0.5	0.5
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(10.1)	0.0	0.0
Other expense, net	(6.5)	(4.5)	(25.5)
Total other expense	(60.6)	(47.4)	(56.0)
Income before income taxes	443.1	430.4	418.6
Provision for income taxes	193.2	132.6	136.5
Net income	249.9	297.8	282.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	6.8	4.8	4.8
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HUBBELL	$ 243.1	$ 293.0	$ 277.3
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 4.42	$ 5.26	$ 4.79
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 4.39	$ 5.24	$ 4.77