v2.4.0.6

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Floating to Fixed Interest Rate Swaps (Details) (Floating rate notes due 2014 [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Floating rate notes due 2014 [Member] |
Derivative [Line Items] |
Notional amount | $ 300
Floating interest rate received on swaps | 0.31%
Fixed interest rate paid on swaps | 0.76%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid | 3 month LIBOR

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- Definition Fixed interest rate paid on swaps + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | etn_FixedInterestRatePaidOnSwaps
Namespace Prefix: | etn_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Floating interest rate received on swaps + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | etn_FloatingInterestRateReceivedOnSwaps
Namespace Prefix: | etn_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The reference rate for the variable rate of the interest rate derivative, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Aggregate notional amount of all interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments in fair value hedges. Notional amount refers to the monetary amount specified in the interest rate derivative contract. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579245-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Notional Amount -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5580258-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant