Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	$ 27	$ 47
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	18	8
Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	97	85
Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	40	52
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	8	5
Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	8	13
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 3,715	$ 3,440
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	2 years	2 years
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	19 years	19 years
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps \| Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	$ 0	$ 0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps \| Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	96	84
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps \| Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps \| Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	$ 2	10
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	12 years
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 50
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	1 year
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps \| Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	$ 0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps \| Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps \| Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps \| Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 724	$ 432
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	1 month	1 month
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	36 months	36 months
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts \| Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	$ 18	$ 8
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts \| Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	1	1
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts \| Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	8	5
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts \| Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	6	3
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Commodity contracts
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 1	$ 1
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	1 month	1 month
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	12 months	12 months
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Commodity contracts \| Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	$ 0	$ 0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Commodity contracts \| Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Commodity contracts \| Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Commodity contracts \| Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 4,198	$ 4,447
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	1 month	1 month
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	12 months	12 months
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts \| Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	$ 27	$ 47
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Currency exchange contracts \| Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	40	52
Japanese Yen notes due 2018 [Member] \| Japanese Yen notes payable [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Debt denominated in foreign currency designated as non-derivative net investment hedging instrument	83	84
Japanese Yen notes due 2018 [Member] \| Japanese Yen notes payable [Member] \| Non-derivative net investment hedge [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Debt denominated in foreign currency designated as non-derivative net investment hedging instrument	$ 83	$ 84

Derivatives designated as hedges.

No definition available.

Name:	etn_DerivativesDesignatedAsHedgesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	etn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51814546&loc=SL51823488-111719

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51814546&loc=SL51823488-111719

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

High end period remaining until maturity for the derivative contract, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeHigherRemainingMaturityRange1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as a liability.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Low end period remaining until maturity of derivative contract, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLowerRemainingMaturityRange1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of notes payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=etn_OtherLongTermAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=etn_OtherLongTermLiabilitesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=etn_ForwardStartingFloatingtoFixedInterestRateSwapDomain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=etn_JapaneseYenNotesDue2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=etn_JapaneseYennotespayableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=etn_NonderivativenetinvestmenthedgeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: