EATON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Pre-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$ 735	$ 55	$ (187)
After-tax
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	507
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	562	95	(145)
Currency translation and related hedging instruments
Pre-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, pre-tax	(335)	154	15
Reclassification from AOCI, pre-tax	369	37	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	34	191	15
After-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, after-tax	(339)	164	16
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	369	37	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	30	201	16
Pensions and other postretirement benefits
Pre-tax
Reclassification from AOCI, pre-tax	183	221	148
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	654	(93)	(164)
After-tax
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	140	169	117
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	495	(73)	(130)
Prior service credit (cost) arising during the year
Pre-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, pre-tax	(1)	(1)	(2)
After-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, after-tax	(1)	(1)	(2)
Net gain (loss) arising during the year
Pre-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, pre-tax	448	(263)	(294)
After-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, after-tax	337	(203)	(232)
Currency translation
Pre-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, pre-tax	24	(48)	(16)
After-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, after-tax	19	(37)	(13)
Other
Pre-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, pre-tax	0	(2)	0
After-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, after-tax	0	(1)	0
Cash flow hedges
Pre-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, pre-tax	50	(60)	(33)
Reclassification from AOCI, pre-tax	(3)	17	(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	47	(43)	(38)
After-tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) arising during the year, before reclassifications, after-tax	39	(47)	(27)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	(2)	14	(4)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$ 37	$ (33)	$ (31)