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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HLOZ44n82B3pTGCqPtLnjiFRyYwDkwqzI5EY8/UZ1mwBmqlvYgh4Jv++oHm0it7I
 7BR5+p6Ay/5S/H1Ualhuug==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001296362-08-000057.txt : 20080501
<SEC-HEADER>0001296362-08-000057.hdr.sgml : 20080501
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080501174303
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001296362-08-000057
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:			Kingsley Lawrence D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001301427

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31330
		FILM NUMBER:		08795905

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		847-498-7070

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O IDEX CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		630 DUNDEE ROAD
		CITY:			NORTHBROOK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60062
</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>0001301427</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kingsley Lawrence D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>IDEX CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>630 DUNDEE ROAD, SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORTHBROOK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60062</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>3965</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7000</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 36 unissued shares for dividend equivalents credited July 2, 2007 thorugh April 1, 2008 pursuant to the Amended and Restated Directors' 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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