CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,987	$ 5,203	$ 14,880	$ 15,798
Cost of products sold	3,371	3,597	10,081	10,865
Selling and administrative expense	853	907	2,642	2,723
Research and development expense	146	156	444	472
Interest expense - net	59	59	173	175
Other income - net	(15)	(3)	(28)	(27)
Income before income taxes	573	487	1,568	1,590
Income tax expense	51	42	151	143
Net income	522	445	1,417	1,447
Less net loss for noncontrolling interests	1	1	1	0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$ 523	$ 446	$ 1,418	$ 1,447
Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 1.15	$ 0.96	$ 3.09	$ 3.09
Basic (usd per share)	$ 1.15	$ 0.96	$ 3.10	$ 3.10
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding
Diluted (shares)	455.6	466.4	457.9	468.5
Basic (shares)	453.9	465.1	456.5	466.8
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share (usd per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.55	$ 1.71	$ 1.65