Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,960	$ 3,803
Cost of products sold	2,754	2,682
Selling and administrative expense	702	665
Research and development expense	105	105
Interest expense-net	28	32
Other expense (income)-net	3	(16)
Income before income taxes	368	335
Income tax expense	57	49
Net income	311	286
Adjustment for net loss for noncontrolling interests	0	1
Net income attributable to Eaton common shareholders	$ 311	$ 287
Net income per common share
Diluted	$ 0.91	$ 0.83
Basic	$ 0.93	$ 0.84
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted	339.8	345.7
Basic	335.4	340.1
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.38	$ 0.34