Document and Entity Information Document (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float	$ 0
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	100
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	Eaton Corp Ltd
Entity Central Index Key	0001551182
Document Type	10-Q