The tax effects as of the balance sheet date of the amount of excesses of tax deductions over taxable income in a year which cannot be used on the tax returns in the current year but may be carried forward to reduce taxable income or income taxes payable in a future year in certain jurisdictions and the tax effects arising from all unused tax credits available to reduce taxable income or income taxes payable in a future year, for which there must be sufficient tax-basis income to utilize a portion or all of the carryforward amount to realize the deferred tax asset.

No definition available.

Income Taxes (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
Income (loss) from continuing operations:
United States	$ 197.2	$ (242.1)	$ (39.8)
Foreign	58.9	44.2	160.2
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	256.1	(197.9)	120.4		443.3	(119.3)	(16.1)
Current:
United States	70.2	(1.4)	1.8
Foreign	(30.0)	(20.9)	(29.3)
Total current	40.2	(22.3)	(27.5)
Deferred and other:
United States	(123.1)	8.3	46.7
Foreign	28.1	35.3	(6.9)
Total deferred and other	(95.0)	43.6	39.8
Total (provision) benefit	(54.8)	21.3	12.3		(170.6)	42.3	4.1	(1.4)	10.7	(4.9)	(6.1)	(18.0)	(24.8)
Correction of prior period misstatements
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
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	73.1	172.8						46.3
Income taxes	(54.8)	21.3	12.3		(170.6)	42.3	4.1	(1.4)	10.7	(4.9)	(6.1)	(18.0)	(24.8)
Reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to effective income tax rate
Tax at U.S. federal statutory rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of U.S. federal benefit (as a percent)	1.40%	(0.10%)	0.80%
U.S. credits and exemptions (as a percent)	(4.00%)	2.50%	(11.40%)
Foreign earnings taxed at lower rates (as a percent)	(11.40%)	12.70%	(5.80%)
Audit settlements with taxing authorities (as a percent)	0.20%	14.00%	(0.60%)
Adjustments to uncertain tax positions (as a percent)	0.90%	(2.70%)	(6.80%)
Changes in valuation allowance (as a percent)	(0.20%)	(5.60%)	(25.90%)
Tax on repatriation of foreign earnings (as a percent)	(0.60%)	(7.70%)	5.70%
Goodwill impairment and basis adjustments (as a percent)		(37.90%)
Other (as a percent)	0.10%	0.60%	(1.20%)
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	21.40%	10.80%	(10.20%)
Deferred tax assets:
Working capital accruals	26.8	33.4
Legal, environmental and self-insurance accruals	42.3	39.0
Pension, other postretirement and postemployment benefits	95.5	186.8
NOL and credit carryforwards	229.8	193.2
Payroll and compensation	63.5	53.8
Other	45.1	98.0
Total deferred tax assets	503.0	604.2
Valuation allowance	(149.3)	(128.1)
Net deferred tax assets	353.7	476.1
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accelerated depreciation	69.3	61.5
Basis difference in affiliates	152.1	151.8
Intangibles recorded in acquisitions	285.9	312.9
Other	25.8	23.7
Total deferred tax liabilities	533.1	549.9
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net	$ (179.4)	$ (73.8)