Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 22, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 19,747	$ 20,855	$ 22,552
Cost of products sold		13,400	14,292	15,646
Selling and administrative expense		3,505	3,596	3,810
Litigation settlements		0	0	644
Research and development expense		589	625	647
Interest expense - net		233	232	227
Other income - net		(107)	(35)	(183)
Income before income taxes		2,127	2,145	1,761
Income tax expense (benefit)		202	164	(42)
Net income		1,925	1,981	1,803
Less net income for noncontrolling interests		(3)	(2)	(10)
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders		$ 1,922	$ 1,979	$ 1,793
Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders
Diluted (usd per share)		$ 4.21	$ 4.23	$ 3.76
Basic (usd per share)		$ 4.22	$ 4.25	$ 3.78
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding
Diluted (shares)		456.5	467.1	476.8
Basic (shares)		455.0	465.5	474.1
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share (usd per share)	$ 0.60	$ 2.28	$ 2.20	$ 1.96