Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	SPX Corporation Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accum. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Common Stock In Treasury	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,881.5	$ 1,870.8	$ 979.0	$ 1,425.7	$ 2,203.0	$ (213.6)	$ (2,523.3)	$ 10.7
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	202.8	205.6			205.6			(2.8)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21.3	21.0				21.0		0.3
Dividends declared ($1.00 per share)	(50.0)	(50.0)			(50.0)
Exercise of stock options and other incentive plan activity, including related tax benefit of $0.5, $1.1 and $3.2 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	31.4	31.4	5.1	26.3
Amortization of restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants (includes $1.0, $2.2 and $1.2 related to discontinued operations for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	31.1	31.1		31.1
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting, net of tax withholdings	(12.2)	(12.2)	2.6	(22.0)			7.2
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2.6)							(2.6)
Other changes/charges in noncontrolling interests	0.7							0.7
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	2,104.0	2,097.7	986.7	1,461.1	2,358.6	(192.6)	(2,516.1)	6.3
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	185.6	180.6			180.6			5.0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(54.0)	(53.9)				(53.9)		(0.1)
Dividends declared ($1.00 per share)	(50.9)	(50.9)			(50.9)
Exercise of stock options and other incentive plan activity, including related tax benefit of $0.5, $1.1 and $3.2 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	29.0	29.0	4.3	24.7
Amortization of restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants (includes $1.0, $2.2 and $1.2 related to discontinued operations for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	41.4	41.4		41.4
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting, net of tax withholdings	(16.6)	(16.6)	2.6	(25.0)			5.8
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4.1)							(4.1)
Other changes/charges in noncontrolling interests	2.9							2.9
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,237.3	2,227.3	993.6	1,502.2	2,488.3	(246.5)	(2,510.3)	10.0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	262.0	259.2			259.2			2.8
Other comprehensive income (loss)	18.2	17.6				17.6		0.6
Dividends declared ($1.00 per share)	(50.9)	(50.9)			(50.9)
Exercise of stock options and other incentive plan activity, including related tax benefit of $0.5, $1.1 and $3.2 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	25.5	25.5	4.4	21.1
Amortization of restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants (includes $1.0, $2.2 and $1.2 related to discontinued operations for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	40.4	40.4		40.4
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting, net of tax withholdings	(4.8)	(4.8)	0.9	(10.0)			4.3
Purchases of common stock	(245.6)	(245.6)					(245.6)
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.7)							(0.7)
Other changes/charges in noncontrolling interests	(1.4)							(1.4)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 2,280.0	$ 2,268.7	$ 998.9	$ 1,553.7	$ 2,696.6	$ (228.9)	$ (2,751.6)	$ 11.3