Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,144.1	$ 1,179.7	$ 1,166.7	$ 991.2	$ 917.7	$ 950.5	$ 948.3	$ 852.3	$ 4,481.7	$ 3,668.8	$ 3,505.2
Hubbell Commercial and Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									910.8	864.5	846.9
Hubbell Construction and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									799.7	732.6	667.5
Hubbell Lighting
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									950.1	935.7	945.8
Hubbell Power Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									1,821.1	1,136.0	1,045.0
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									4,040.6	3,280.9	3,147.4
International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									441.1	387.9	357.8
Electrical
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									2,660.6	2,532.8	2,460.2
Electrical | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									2,365.4	2,229.3	2,187.0
Electrical | International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									295.2	303.5	273.2
Power
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									1,821.1	1,136.0	1,045.0
Power | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									1,675.2	1,051.6	960.4
Power | International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 145.9	$ 84.4	$ 84.6