EQUITY - Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 16,451	$ 14,973
Net income	533	459
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	116	(30)
Cash dividends paid and accrued	(333)	(309)
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans	(24)	5
Changes in noncontrolling interest of consolidated subsidiaries - net	(1)	(2)
Repurchase of shares	(86)	(59)
Balance at end of period	16,656	15,037
Total Eaton shareholders' equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	16,413	14,930
Net income	532	458
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	116	(30)
Cash dividends paid and accrued	(331)	(309)
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans	(24)	5
Repurchase of shares	(86)	(59)
Balance at end of period	$ 16,620	$ 14,995
Ordinary shares
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period (shares)	398.8	398.1
Balance at beginning of period	$ 4	$ 4
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans (shares)	0.8	0.9
Repurchase of shares (shares)	(0.6)	(0.5)
Balance at end of period (shares)	399.0	398.5
Balance at end of period	$ 4	$ 4
Capital in excess of par value
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	12,449	12,329
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans	(22)	6
Balance at end of period	12,427	12,335
Retained earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	7,594	6,794
Net income	532	458
Cash dividends paid and accrued	(331)	(309)
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans	(2)	(1)
Repurchase of shares	(86)	(59)
Balance at end of period	7,707	6,883
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(3,633)	(4,195)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	116	(30)
Balance at end of period	(3,517)	(4,225)
Shares held in trust
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(1)	(2)
Balance at end of period	(1)	(2)
Noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	38	43
Net income	1	1
Cash dividends paid and accrued	(2)	0
Changes in noncontrolling interest of consolidated subsidiaries - net	(1)	(2)
Balance at end of period	$ 36	$ 42