BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	$ 4,092	$ 3,844	$ 3,943
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	576	808	679
Deferred income taxes	296	254	253
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Other current liabilities	1,910	1,905	1,872
Eaton shareholders' equity	16,690	17,251	17,253
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	4,213		3,943
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	412		679
Deferred income taxes	295		253
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Other current liabilities	$ 1,879		1,872
Eaton shareholders' equity			$ 17,253
ASU 2014-09 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606
Assets
Accounts receivable - net		(99)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		129
Deferred income taxes		1
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Other current liabilities		33
Eaton shareholders' equity		$ (2)