Number of persons employed by the Entity

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- Definition

Countries of operation

+ References

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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The number of countries in which the entity operates as of balance sheet date.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 20,855	$ 22,552	$ 22,046
Number of Eaton employees	97,000
Countries of operation	over 60
Countries where products are sold	175
Minimum [Member]
Investments in associate companies [Line Items]
Equity method of accounting, ownership interest	20.00%
Maximum [Member]
Investments in associate companies [Line Items]
Equity method of accounting, ownership interest	50.00%