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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MeLpVTx9HK3djVoXgED0Mb6Y6a3kzPIT3L3BqTRvqh1KXX+UUTesIgi5aJpbUQSP
 xlpaddry70FlFn7x8fR+Yw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001296362-08-000063.txt : 20080501
<SEC-HEADER>0001296362-08-000063.hdr.sgml : 20080501
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080501191543
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001296362-08-000063
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080429
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080501
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080501

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COOPER INDUSTRIES LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001141982
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT [3640]
		IRS NUMBER:				980355628
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 TRAVIS
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5800
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002-1001
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7132098400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 TRAVIS
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5800
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002-1001

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILSON JAMES R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001051451
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [2800]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31330
		FILM NUMBER:		08796247

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7044237000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GOODRICH CORP
		STREET 2:		2730 W TYVOLA RD
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28217
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-29</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001141982</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COOPER INDUSTRIES LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CBE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001051451</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WILSON JAMES R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2758 FOUR LAKES DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PARK CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>UT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>84060</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3966</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>42706</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Awarded pursuant to the Amended and Restated Directors' Stock Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 318 unissued shares for dividend equivalents credited July 2, 2007 thorugh April 1, 2008 pursuant to the Amended and Restated Directors' Stock Plan and includes 344 unissued shares for dividend equivalents credited July 2, 2007 through April 1, 2008 pursuant to the Directors' Retainer Fee Stock Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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