CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,132	$ 5,080	$ 9,980	$ 9,893
Cost of products sold	3,450	3,419	6,760	6,710
Selling and administrative expense	902	897	1,787	1,789
Research and development expense	150	149	293	298
Interest expense - net	60	57	121	114
Other expense (income) - net	0	5	(15)	(13)
Income before income taxes	570	553	1,034	995
Income tax expense	54	61	86	100
Net income	516	492	948	895
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)	(1)	0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$ 515	$ 491	$ 947	$ 895
Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 1.15	$ 1.07	$ 2.10	$ 1.95
Basic (usd per share)	$ 1.15	$ 1.08	$ 2.12	$ 1.96
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding
Diluted (shares)	448.6	458.3	449.8	459.0
Basic (shares)	446.3	457.0	447.5	457.8
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share (usd per share)	$ 0.6	$ 0.57	$ 1.20	$ 1.14