Document and Entity Information Document (USD $) In Billions, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	Eaton Corp plc
Entity Central Index Key	0001551182
Document Type	10-K
Entity Public Float			$ 13.4
Entity Ordinary Stock, Shares Outstanding		471.1