Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 764.3	$ 685.0	$ 2,131.6	$ 1,901.9
Cost of good sold	512.0	449.8	1,444.2	1,280.0
Gross Profit	252.3	235.2	687.4	621.9
Selling & administrative expenses	127.0	117.6	373.4	345.1
Operating income	125.3	117.6	314.0	276.8
Interest expense, net	(7.3)	(7.8)	(22.3)	(22.9)
Other (expense) income, net	0	(0.6)	(3.8)	(1.6)
Total other expense, net	(7.3)	(8.4)	(26.1)	(24.5)
Income before income taxes	118.0	109.2	287.9	252.3
Provision for income taxes	34.7	37.5	88.2	83.7
Net income	83.3	71.7	199.7	168.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.9	0.4	1.8	1.1
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 82.4	$ 71.3	$ 197.9	$ 167.5
Earnings Per Share Disclsoure [Abstract]
Basic	$ 1.38	$ 1.19	$ 3.29	$ 2.79
Diluted	$ 1.37	$ 1.18	$ 3.25	$ 2.77
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.38	$ 0.36	$ 1.14	$ 1.08