Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,728	$ 5,607	$ 16,987	$ 16,519
Cost of products sold	3,916	3,883	11,799	11,488
Selling and administrative expense	961	967	2,907	2,885
Litigation settlements	0	0	644	0
Research and development expense	163	166	493	479
Interest expense - net	56	63	173	209
Other (income) expense - net	(10)	7	(181)	3
Income before income taxes	642	521	1,152	1,455
Income tax expense (benefit)	37	7	(66)	64
Net income	605	514	1,218	1,391
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(3)	(4)	(6)	(9)
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$ 602	$ 510	$ 1,212	$ 1,382
Net income per ordinary share
Diluted	$ 1.26	$ 1.07	$ 2.53	$ 2.90
Basic	$ 1.27	$ 1.08	$ 2.55	$ 2.92
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding
Diluted	477.2	477.2	478.2	476.2
Basic	474.8	474.0	475.5	473.1
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share	$ 0.49	$ 0.42	$ 1.47	$ 1.26