Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 723.8	$ 658.1
Cost of good sold	489.7	452.9
Gross Profit	234.1	205.2
Selling & administrative expenses	132.4	121.6
Operating income	101.7	83.6
Interest expense, net	(7.2)	(7.5)
Other (expense) income, net	0.1	(2.1)
Total other expense, net	(7.1)	(9.6)
Income before income taxes	94.6	74.0
Provision for income taxes	31.0	23.3
Net income	63.6	50.7
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.4	0.4
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 63.2	$ 50.3
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract]
Basic	$ 1.06	$ 0.83
Diluted	$ 1.05	$ 0.82
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.41	$ 0.38