EATON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of businesses	$ 617	$ 221	$ 0
Income before income taxes	2,896	1,746	2,591
Income tax benefit (expense)	(750)	(331)	(378)
Total reclassifications for the period	2,144	$ 1,410	$ 2,211
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications for the period	(507)
Currency translation and related hedging instruments | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of businesses	(369)
Income tax benefit (expense)	0
Total reclassifications for the period	(369)
Actuarial loss and prior service cost | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(183)
Income tax benefit (expense)	43
Total reclassifications for the period	(140)
Gains and (losses) on cash flow hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income tax benefit (expense)	(1)
Total reclassifications for the period	2
Gains and (losses) on cash flow hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Currency exchange contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(6)
Gains and (losses) on cash flow hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Commodity contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 9