Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income [IncomeStatement]
Net Sales	$ 789.7	$ 764.3	$ 2,291.9	$ 2,131.6
Cost of good sold	521.2	512.0	1,529.5	1,444.2
Gross Profit	268.5	252.3	762.4	687.4
Selling & administrative expenses	133.4	127.0	401.1	373.4
Operating income	135.1	125.3	361.3	314.0
Interest expense, net	(7.2)	(7.3)	(21.5)	(22.3)
Other (expense) income, net	1.1	0	(0.1)	(3.8)
Total other expense, net	(6.1)	(7.3)	(21.6)	(26.1)
Income before income taxes	129.0	118.0	339.7	287.9
Provision for income taxes	41.4	34.7	110.5	88.2
Net income	87.6	83.3	229.2	199.7
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.5	0.9	1.4	1.8
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 87.1	$ 82.4	$ 227.8	$ 197.9
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract]
Basic	$ 1.47	$ 1.38	$ 3.84	$ 3.29
Diluted	$ 1.45	$ 1.37	$ 3.80	$ 3.25
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.41	$ 0.38	$ 1.23	$ 1.14