Earnings Per Share (Details) (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
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 82.4	$ 71.3	$ 197.9	$ 167.5
Undistributed Earnings Allocated to Participating Securities	0.2	0.3	0.7	0.7
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 82.2	$ 71.0	$ 197.2	$ 166.8
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic	59.3	59.8	59.9	59.8
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	0.6	0.4	0.7	0.4
Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding	59.9	60.2	60.6	60.2
Earnings Per Share Disclsoure [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share Basic	$ 1.38	$ 1.19	$ 3.29	$ 2.79
Earnings Per Share Diluted	$ 1.37	$ 1.18	$ 3.25	$ 2.77
Stock Option And Performance Shares Antidilutive Securities [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount	0	0.8	0	0.8
Stock Appreciation Rights Antidilutive Securities [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount	0	1.6	0	1.6