REVENUE RECOGNITION - Schedule of the Impact of Adoption of ASU 2014-09 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Income
Net sales	$ 5,487	$ 5,132	$ 10,738	$ 9,980
Cost of products sold	3,671	3,448	7,244	6,755
Income before income taxes	694	572	1,259	1,039
Income tax expense	83	55	161	88
Net income	611	517	1,098	951
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	610	$ 516	1,098	$ 950
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	4,092		4,092		$ 3,844	$ 3,943
Inventory	2,753		2,753			2,620
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	576		576		808	679
Deferred income taxes	296		296		254	253
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Other current liabilities	1,910		1,910		$ 1,905	1,872
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	16,725		16,725			17,290
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Adjustment
Consolidated Statements of Income
Net sales	(11)		(18)
Cost of products sold	(6)		(10)
Income before income taxes	(5)		(8)
Income tax expense	(1)		(2)
Net income	(4)		(6)
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	(4)		(6)
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	121		121
Inventory	9		9
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(164)		(164)
Deferred income taxes	(1)		(1)
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Other current liabilities	(31)		(31)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(4)		(4)
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Consolidated Statements of Income
Net sales	5,476		10,720
Cost of products sold	3,665		7,234
Income before income taxes	689		1,251
Income tax expense	82		159
Net income	607		1,092
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	606		1,092
Assets
Accounts receivable - net	4,213		4,213			3,943
Inventory	2,762		2,762
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	412		412			679
Deferred income taxes	295		295			253
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Other current liabilities	1,879		1,879			$ 1,872
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 16,721		$ 16,721