Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Information
Total revenues	$ 1,389.7	$ 1,240.7		$ 4,036.3	$ 3,806.0
Operating earnings	205.3	191.4		619.4	399.2
Equity in (income) of Apex Tool Group, LLC	(16.0)	(10.5)		(44.9)	(10.5)
Loss related to contribution of net assets to Apex Tool Group, LLC			134.5		134.5
Restructuring charges		1.5			8.0
Interest expense, net	16.4	12.3		49.8	36.2
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	188.9	179.1		569.6	363.0
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Information
Operating earnings	213.9	205.3		645.4	594.3
Energy and Safety Solutions [Member]
Segment Information
Total revenues	752.2	655.7		2,184.1	1,840.0
Operating earnings	125.6	111.1		375.4	310.9
Electrical Products Group [Member]
Segment Information
Total revenues	637.5	585.0		1,852.2	1,654.8
Operating earnings	88.3	94.2		270.0	250.3
Total Electrical Segments [Member]
Segment Information
Total revenues	1,389.7	1,240.7		4,036.3	3,494.8
Operating earnings	213.9	205.3		645.4	561.2
Tools [Member]
Segment Information
Total revenues					311.2
Operating earnings					33.1
Unallocated Amounts to Segments [Member]
Segment Information
General Corporate expense	24.6	22.9		70.9	63.1
Equity in (income) of Apex Tool Group, LLC	(16.0)	(10.5)		(44.9)	(10.5)
Loss related to contribution of net assets to Apex Tool Group, LLC					134.5
Restructuring charges		1.5			8.0
Interest expense, net	16.4	12.3		49.8	36.2
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 188.9	$ 179.1		$ 569.6	$ 363.0