Eaton Shareholders' Equity Eaton Shareholders' Equity - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity [Abstract]
Currency translation and related hedging instuments pre-tax	$ (30)	$ 144	$ (252)
Currency translation and related hedging instruments after-tax	(28)	135	(241)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Prior service cost arising during the year pre-tax	(6)	(1)	(5)
Prior service cost arising during the year after-tax	(4)	(1)	(4)
Net gain (loss) arising during the year pre-tax	456	(386)	(648)
Net gain (loss) arising during the year after-tax	277	(262)	(417)
Currency translation pre-tax	(5)	(15)	5
Currency translation after-tax	(4)	(12)	4
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	2	(2)	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Net of Tax	16	15	(15)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service costs reclassified to earnings pre-tax	229	170	122
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service costs reclassified to earnings after-tax	144	108	79
Total pensions and other postretirement benefits included in other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax	(676)	234	526
Total pensions and other postretirement benefits included in other comprehensive income (loss), after-tax	(429)	152	353
Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) Cash Flow Hedges
Gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges pre-tax	6	10	(28)
Gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges after-tax	3	10	(21)
Changes in cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings pre-tax	0	7	0
Changes in cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings after-tax	0	7	(1)
Cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustments pre-tax	6	17	(28)
Cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustments after-tax	3	17	(22)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders pre-tax	652	(73)	(806)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders after-tax	$ 404	$ 0	$ (616)

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amortization of prior service costs reclassified to earnings, before Tax

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Pensions and other postretirement benefits freign currency translation after taxes

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Pensions and other postretirement benefits freign currency translation before taxes

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Total cash flow hedges included in other comprehensive income (loss) after tax

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Amount before tax of cost (credit) of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service resulting from a plan amendment or plan initiation that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit).

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Amount after tax of cost (credit) of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service resulting from a plan amendment or plan initiation that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit).

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount before tax, after reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount before tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for actuarial gain (loss) related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for actuarial gain (loss) related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

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Amount before tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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