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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 j4Jn1e12j/N2PT1CjRkyFA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001296362-08-000060.txt : 20080501
<SEC-HEADER>0001296362-08-000060.hdr.sgml : 20080501
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080501181411
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001296362-08-000060
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:			SMITH DAN F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188511

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31330
		FILM NUMBER:		08796031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LYONDELL CHEMICAL CO
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 3646
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77253-3646
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136527445

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1221 MCKINNEY STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 700
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77010
</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>0001188511</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMITH DAN F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O COOPER INDUSTRIES, LTD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>600 TRAVIS, SUITE 5600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77002</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>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3966</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50469</value>
                </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>
    </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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