Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Net sales	$ 865,512	$ 890,546	$ 2,665,214	$ 2,590,994
Cost of goods sold	587,435	618,484	1,794,290	1,782,137
Gross profit	278,077	272,062	870,924	808,857
Selling, general and administrative	204,665	159,068	553,120	462,260
Research and development	19,735	20,091	61,383	58,095
Operating income	53,677	92,903	256,421	288,502
Other (income) expense:
Equity income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	(616)	(574)	(2,301)	(1,481)
Net interest expense	18,620	17,373	49,467	41,311
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	35,673	76,104	209,255	248,672
Provision for income taxes	4,023	24,050	41,966	76,447
Net income before noncontrolling interest	31,650	52,054	167,289	172,225
Noncontrolling interest	1,232	962	4,227	3,880
Net income attributable to Pentair Ltd.	30,418	51,092	163,062	168,345
Comprehensive income (loss)	64,484	(40,931)	158,292	146,188
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,103	(2,081)	4,123	3,540
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pentair Ltd.	$ 62,381	$ (38,850)	$ 154,169	$ 142,648
Earnings per common share attributable to Pentair Ltd.
Basic	$ 0.30	$ 0.52	$ 1.64	$ 1.71
Diluted	$ 0.30	$ 0.51	$ 1.60	$ 1.69
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	100,445	98,472	99,484	98,228
Diluted	102,910	99,802	101,708	99,759
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.22	$ 0.20	$ 0.66	$ 0.60