Name:	abb_MaximumSharesReceivableAsPercentageOfConditionalGrant
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of components in each launch of the plan.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_NumberOfComponentInShareBasedArrangementLaunch
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of vesting of share-based compensation awards if criteria threshold is equaled or exceeded.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentageIfThresholdCriteriaEqualedOrExceeded
Namespace Prefix:	abb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the aggregate fair value at grant date of share-based plans other than stock options granted during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	abb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of vested award that plan participant receives upon achievement of criteria threshold.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfVestedAward
Namespace Prefix:	abb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of cumulative earnings per share performance of the first year's results for calculation of performance component under the long term incentive plan.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfCumulativeEarningsPerShareOfFirstYearsResultForCalculationOfPerformanceComponent
Namespace Prefix:	abb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of cumulative earnings per share performance of the second year's results for calculation of performance component under the long term incentive plan.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfCumulativeEarningsPerShareOfSecondYearsResultForCalculationOfPerformanceComponent
Namespace Prefix:	abb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of cumulative earnings per share performance of the third year's results for calculation of performance component under the long term incentive plan.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfCumulativeEarningsPerShareOfThirdYearsResultForCalculationOfPerformanceComponent
Namespace Prefix:	abb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the period of weighted cumulative earnings per share performance for calculation of performance component under the long term incentive plan.

No definition available.

Name:	abb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPeriodOfWeightedCumulativeEarningsPerShareForCalculationOfPerformanceComponent
Namespace Prefix:	abb_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

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

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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.

No definition available.

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

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=abb_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abb_PerformanceSharesToBeSettledInEitherCashOrEquityOrAllEquityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abb_PerformanceSharesToBeSettledInEquityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abb_PerformanceSharesToBeSettledInCashMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=abb_LongTermIncentivePlan20152014And2013LaunchesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	abb_VestingCriteriaAxis=abb_VestingBasedOnEarningsPerSharePerformanceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=abb_LongTermIncentivePlan2015LaunchMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	abb_VestingCriteriaAxis=abb_VestingBasedOnAchievementOfThresholdNetIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abb_PerformanceSharesToBeSettledInEitherCashOrEquityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=abb_LongTermIncentivePlan2014And2013LaunchesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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