v2.4.0.8
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Income Statement (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net sales $ 5,602 $ 4,068 $ 10,912 $ 8,028
Cost of products sold 3,870 2,815 7,605 5,569
Selling and administrative expense 960 690 1,918 1,392
Research and development expense 161 106 313 211
Interest expense - net 71 30 146 58
Other expense (income) - net 6 8 (4) 11
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax 0 0 0 0
Intercompany expense (income) 0 0 0 0
Income before income taxes 534 419 934 787
Income tax expense 37 37 57 94
Net income 497 382 877 693
Less net income for noncontrolling interests (3) 0 (5) 0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 494 382 872 693
Other comprehensive income (loss) (72) (242) (306) (16)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 422 140 566 677
Eaton Corporation plc [Member]
        
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net sales 0   0  
Cost of products sold 0   0  
Selling and administrative expense 2   4  
Research and development expense 0   0  
Interest expense - net 0   0  
Other expense (income) - net 0   0  
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax (569)   (1,013)  
Intercompany expense (income) 61   125  
Income before income taxes 506   884  
Income tax expense 12   12  
Net income 494   872  
Less net income for noncontrolling interests 0   0  
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 494   872  
Other comprehensive income (loss) (72)   (306)  
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 422   566  
Eaton Corporation [Member]
        
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net sales 1,743 1,764 3,331 3,444
Cost of products sold 1,352 1,377 2,592 2,693
Selling and administrative expense 365 313 711 641
Research and development expense 67 59 128 111
Interest expense - net 69 34 143 69
Other expense (income) - net 18 0 14 0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax (307) (360) (624) (672)
Intercompany expense (income) (111) (65) (214) (124)
Income before income taxes 290 406 581 726
Income tax expense (42) 24 (45) 33
Net income 332 382 626 693
Less net income for noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 332 382 626 693
Other comprehensive income (loss) (41) (242) (64) (16)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 291 140 562 677
Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]
        
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net sales 1,626 658 3,199 1,343
Cost of products sold 1,179 496 2,374 1,010
Selling and administrative expense 178 82 371 166
Research and development expense 48 23 92 48
Interest expense - net 7 2 14 4
Other expense (income) - net 15 6 22 5
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax 395 (17) (172) (31)
Intercompany expense (income) (860) (5) (684) (9)
Income before income taxes 664 71 1,182 150
Income tax expense 20 20 (17) 44
Net income 644 51 1,199 106
Less net income for noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 644 51 1,199 106
Other comprehensive income (loss) (72) (8) (306) 5
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders 572 43 893 111
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
        
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net sales 3,421 2,589 6,693 5,095
Cost of products sold 2,527 1,886 4,950 3,719
Selling and administrative expense 415 295 832 585
Research and development expense 46 24 93 52
Interest expense - net (5) (6) (11) (15)
Other expense (income) - net (27) 2 (40) 6
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax (239) 0 (405) 0
Intercompany expense (income) 910 70 773 133
Income before income taxes (206) 318 501 615
Income tax expense 47 (8) 107 17
Net income (253) 326 394 598
Less net income for noncontrolling interests (3) 0 (5) 0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders (256) 326 389 598
Other comprehensive income (loss) (180) (255) (571) (82)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders (436) 71 (182) 516
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
        
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net sales (1,188) (943) (2,311) (1,854)
Cost of products sold (1,188) (944) (2,311) (1,853)
Selling and administrative expense 0 0 0 0
Research and development expense 0 0 0 0
Interest expense - net 0 0 0 0
Other expense (income) - net 0 0 0 0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax 720 377 2,214 703
Intercompany expense (income) 0 0 0 0
Income before income taxes (720) (376) (2,214) (704)
Income tax expense 0 1 0 0
Net income (720) (377) (2,214) (704)
Less net income for noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders (720) (377) (2,214) (704)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 293 263 941 77
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders $ (427) $ (114) $ (1,273) $ (627)