Business Segment Information (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
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 5,728	$ 5,607	$ 16,987	$ 16,519
Litigation settlements	0	0	644	0
Interest expense - net	56	63	173	209
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense			(260)	(286)
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
Electrical Products [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,875	1,817	5,433	5,235
Segment operating profit	330	301	880	814
Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,655	1,639	4,807	4,784
Segment operating profit	238	231	601	668
Hydraulics [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	733	739	2,302	2,267
Segment operating profit	84	89	286	271
Aerospace [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	454	448	1,404	1,328
Segment operating profit	72	64	203	193
Vehicle [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,011	964	3,041	2,905
Segment operating profit	176	161	482	465
Corporate
Business Segment Information
Litigation settlements	0	0	(644)	0
Amortization of intangible assets	(107)	(110)	(326)	(325)
Interest expense - net	(56)	(63)	(173)	(209)
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(31)	(55)	(114)	(136)
Inventory step-up adjustment	0	0	0	(34)
Other (income) expense - net	(64)	(97)	(43)	(252)
Total business segments
Business Segment Information
Segment operating profit	$ 900	$ 846	$ 2,452	$ 2,411