Document and Entity Information Document (USD $) In Billions, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	EATON CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000031277
Document Type	10-K
Entity Public Float			$ 17.5
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		334.7