Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013 Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2012 Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2011 Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2012 Unidentified taxable earnings Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2011 Unidentified taxable earnings Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2010 Unidentified taxable earnings Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2009 Unidentified taxable earnings Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2008 Unidentified taxable earnings Restatement adjustment	Dec. 31, 2007 Unidentified taxable earnings Restatement adjustment
Restatement of Previously Reported Financial Information
Overstated (understated) income tax expense	$ (54.8)	$ 21.3	$ 12.3		$ (170.6)	$ 42.3	$ 4.1	$ (1.4)	$ 10.7	$ (4.9)	$ (6.1)	$ (18.0)	$ (24.8)
Retained earnings	(2,303.1)	(2,138.4)	(2,008.9)		237.9	513.7	436.3	44.5	43.1	53.8
Total SPX Corporation shareholders' equity	(2,158.0)	(2,224.2)						44.5	43.1	53.8
Total equity	$ (2,172.0)	$ (2,235.5)	$ (2,194.2)	$ (2,050.2)				$ 44.5	$ 43.1	$ 53.8

The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References+ Details

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

+ References+ Details