Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 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	$ (56)	$ (63)	$ (173)		$ (209)
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for currency exchange contracts reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - Cost of products sold	3,916	3,883	11,799		11,488
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, before tax - Income before income taxes	642	521	1,152		1,455
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for reclassifications out of AOCI, tax impact - Income tax (benefit) expense	(37)	(7)	66		(64)
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, net of tax - Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	602	510	1,212		1,382
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			(96)
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | Amortization of pensions and other postretirement benefits 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			(157)	[1]
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for reclassifications out of AOCI, tax impact - Income tax (benefit) expense			58
Consolidated Statements of Income classification for total AOCI reclassifications for the period, net of tax - Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders			(99)
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | (Losses) gains 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			4
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			3
Reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | (Losses) gains 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] | (Losses) gains 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			$ 5

[1] These components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 6 for additional information about pension items.