Debt	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	On May 21, 2012, Turlock Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company as guarantor, entered into a 364-day bridge facility totaling $6.75 billion related to financing the cash portion of the acquisition of Cooper. The bridge facility will be available in a single draw on the acquisition closing date. At the Company's discretion, the interest rate on the bridge facility may initially be set at either a LIBOR-based rate plus a margin of 1.25%, with increases in margin every 90 days to a maximum margin of 2.50%, or an Alternate Base Rate (ABR) plus the margin for LIBOR loans at any time minus 1.00%. The ABR is the highest of (a) Prime Rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal), (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%. Pursuant to a separate agreement, Eaton is responsible for any fees related to the bridge facility. The bridge facility allows for voluntary prepayment at any time without a premium or penalty. Upon the closing of the acquisition, it is contemplated that certain of the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries (including both Eaton and Cooper subsidiaries) will guarantee the bridge facility. It is also contemplated that, upon the closing of the acquisition, the Company and the same subsidiaries that will guarantee the bridge facility will also guarantee Eaton's obligations under its existing credit facilities, substantially all existing term debt, term debt issued to finance the acquisition, as well as Cooper's existing term debt. The bridge facility contains customary events of default, the occurrence of which may accelerate the payment of interest and principal amounts outstanding. The bridge facility is subject to certain customary affirmative and negative covenants.

On May 21, 2012, Turlock Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company as guarantor, entered into a 364-day bridge facility totaling $6.75 billion related to financing the cash portion of the acquisition of Cooper. The bridge facility will be available in a single draw on the acquisition closing date. At the Company's discretion, the interest rate on the bridge facility may initially be set at either a LIBOR-based rate plus a margin of 1.25%, with increases in margin every 90 days to a maximum margin of 2.50%, or an Alternate Base Rate (ABR) plus the margin for LIBOR loans at any time minus 1.00%. The ABR is the highest of (a) Prime Rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal), (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%. Pursuant to a separate agreement, Eaton is responsible for any fees related to the bridge facility. The bridge facility allows for voluntary prepayment at any time without a premium or penalty. Upon the closing of the acquisition, it is contemplated that certain of the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries (including both Eaton and Cooper subsidiaries) will guarantee the bridge facility. It is also contemplated that, upon the closing of the acquisition, the Company and the same subsidiaries that will guarantee the bridge facility will also guarantee Eaton's obligations under its existing credit facilities, substantially all existing term debt, term debt issued to finance the acquisition, as well as Cooper's existing term debt. The bridge facility contains customary events of default, the occurrence of which may accelerate the payment of interest and principal amounts outstanding. The bridge facility is subject to certain customary affirmative and negative covenants.