Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 709.2	$ 646.4	$ 1,367.3	$ 1,216.9
Cost of good sold	479.3	435.4	932.2	830.2
Gross Profit	229.9	211.0	435.1	386.7
Selling & administrative expenses	124.8	117.5	246.4	227.5
Operating income	105.1	93.5	188.7	159.2
Interest expense, net	(7.5)	(7.5)	(15.0)	(15.1)
Other (expense) income, net	(1.7)	(0.5)	(3.8)	(1.0)
Total other expense, net	(9.2)	(8.0)	(18.8)	(16.1)
Income before income taxes	95.9	85.5	169.9	143.1
Provision for income taxes	30.2	27.6	53.5	46.2
Net income	65.7	57.9	116.4	96.9
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.5	0.3	0.9	0.7
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 65.2	$ 57.6	$ 115.5	$ 96.2
Earnings Per Share Disclsoure [Abstract]
Basic	$ 1.08	$ 0.96	$ 1.91	$ 1.60
Diluted	$ 1.07	$ 0.95	$ 1.89	$ 1.59
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.38	$ 0.36	$ 0.76	$ 0.72