Equity II (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period			$ 1,463.5	$ 1,302.0
Total comprehensive income	63.2	86.7	198.0	179.8
Stock-based compensation			7.7	6.9
Exercise of stock options			17.2	11.1
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net			4.0	2.4
Acquisition and surrender of common shares			(139.8)	(3.6)
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation			0.8	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			(0.7)	(0.9)
Cash dividends declared			(68.2)	(64.8)
Equity, end of period	1,482.5	1,432.9	1,482.5	1,432.9
Hubbell Shareholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period			1,459.2	1,298.2
Total comprehensive income			196.2	178.7
Stock-based compensation			7.7	6.9
Exercise of stock options			17.2	11.1
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net			4.0	2.4
Acquisition and surrender of common shares			(139.8)	(3.6)
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation			0.8	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			0	0
Cash dividends declared			(68.2)	(64.8)
Equity, end of period	1,477.1	1,428.9	1,477.1	1,428.9
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity, beginning of period			4.3	3.8
Total comprehensive income			1.8	1.1
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Exercise of stock options			0	0
Income tax windfall from stock-based awards, net			0	0
Acquisition and surrender of common shares			0	0
Issuance of shares related to director's deferred compensation			0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			(0.7)	(0.9)
Cash dividends declared			0	0
Equity, end of period	$ 5.4	$ 4.0	$ 5.4	$ 4.0

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased and retired during the period. The excess of the purchase price over par value can be charged against retained earnings (once the excess is fully allocated to additional paid in capital). Also includes the amount of adjustment to stockholders' equity associated with an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award.

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This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation related to stock options during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized).

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Adjustment to additional paid in capital related to the net effect of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with an equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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Equity impact of aggregate cash, stock, and paid-in-kind dividends declared for common shareholders during the period.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

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The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

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The amount by which stockholders' equity was increased by the transaction in which equity securities were issued to pay for goods or nonemployee services.

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Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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