Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Note 1. Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements of Cooper Industries plc, an Irish company (“Cooper”), have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The financial information presented as of any date other than December 31 has been prepared from the books and records without audit. Financial information as of December 31 has been derived from Cooper’s audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated, have been included. For further information regarding Cooper’s accounting policies, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in Part IV of Cooper’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. On March 26, 2010, Cooper announced that it entered into a Framework Agreement with Danaher Corporation to create a joint venture combining Cooper’s Tools business with certain Tools businesses from Danaher’s Tools and Components Segment (the “Joint Venture”). On July 6, 2010, Cooper announced the completion of the Joint Venture, named Apex Tool Group, LLC. Cooper and Danaher each own a 50% interest in the Joint Venture, have equal representation on its Board of Directors and have a 50% voting interest in the Joint Venture. At completion of the transaction in July 2010 Cooper deconsolidated the Tools business assets and liabilities contributed to the Joint Venture and recognized Cooper’s 50% ownership interest as an equity investment. Recording the investment at its fair value of $480 million resulted in a pretax loss of $134.5 million related to the transaction, which was recognized in the second quarter of 2010. Beginning in the third quarter of 2010, Cooper recognizes its proportionate share of the Joint Venture’s operating results using the equity method. New Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2011 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued revised guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income that will be effective for Cooper beginning in 2012. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity and also requires presentation of reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statements. The implementation of this revised guidance in 2012 will change the presentation of our financial statements but will not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements of Cooper Industries plc, an Irish company (“Cooper”), have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The financial information presented as of any date other than December 31 has been prepared from the books and records without audit. Financial information as of December 31 has been derived from Cooper’s audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated, have been included. For further information regarding Cooper’s accounting policies, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in Part IV of Cooper’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

On March 26, 2010, Cooper announced that it entered into a Framework Agreement with Danaher Corporation to create a joint venture combining Cooper’s Tools business with certain Tools businesses from Danaher’s Tools and Components Segment (the “Joint Venture”). On July 6, 2010, Cooper announced the completion of the Joint Venture, named Apex Tool Group, LLC. Cooper and Danaher each own a 50% interest in the Joint Venture, have equal representation on its Board of Directors and have a 50% voting interest in the Joint Venture. At completion of the transaction in July 2010 Cooper deconsolidated the Tools business assets and liabilities contributed to the Joint Venture and recognized Cooper’s 50% ownership interest as an equity investment. Recording the investment at its fair value of $480 million resulted in a pretax loss of $134.5 million related to the transaction, which was recognized in the second quarter of 2010. Beginning in the third quarter of 2010, Cooper recognizes its proportionate share of the Joint Venture’s operating results using the equity method.

New Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2011 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued revised guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income that will be effective for Cooper beginning in 2012. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity and also requires presentation of reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statements. The implementation of this revised guidance in 2012 will change the presentation of our financial statements but will not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.