Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - Interest expense, net	$ (55)	$ (71)	$ (117)		$ (146)
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for currency exchange contracts reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - Cost of products sold	4,025	3,870	7,883		7,605
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, before tax - Income before income taxes	57	534	510		934
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for reclassifications out of AOCI, tax impact - Income tax (benefit) expense	115	(37)	103		(57)
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, net of tax - Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	171	494	610		872
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, net of tax - Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders			(68)
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | Amortization of defined benefit pension items [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Actuarial loss - Other comprehensive (income) loss, reclassification adjustment from AOCI, pension and other postretirement benefit plans, before tax, total			(112)	[1]
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for reclassifications out of AOCI, tax impact - Income tax (benefit) expense			42
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, net of tax - Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders			(70)
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | Loss on cash flow hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, before tax - Income before income taxes			3
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for reclassifications out of AOCI, tax impact - Income tax (benefit) expense			(1)
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, net of tax - Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders			2
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | Loss on cash flow hedges [Member] | Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - Interest expense, net			(1)
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | Loss on cash flow hedges [Member] | Currency exchange contracts [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for currency exchange contracts reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - Cost of products sold			$ 4

[1] These components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 5 for additional information about defined benefit pension items.