EQUITY - Calculation of Net Income per Ordinary Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Calculation of net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$ 515	$ 491	$ 947	$ 895
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	448.6	458.3	449.8	459.0
Less dilutive effect of equity-based compensation (shares)	2.3	1.3	2.3	1.2
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic (shares)	446.3	457.0	447.5	457.8
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
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0.2	1.5	0.7	1.9