Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income [IncomeStatement]
Net sales	$ 835.9	$ 789.7	$ 2,377.3	$ 2,291.9
Cost of good sold	544.6	521.2	1,577.7	1,529.5
Gross profit	291.3	268.5	799.6	762.4
Selling & administrative expenses	139.7	133.4	418.2	401.1
Operating income	151.6	135.1	381.4	361.3
Interest expense, net	(7.4)	(7.2)	(22.0)	(21.5)
Other (expense) income, net	(0.9)	1.1	(2.1)	(0.1)
Total other expense, net	(8.3)	(6.1)	(24.1)	(21.6)
Income before income taxes	143.3	129.0	357.3	339.7
Provision for income taxes	46.1	41.4	110.3	110.5
Net income	97.2	87.6	247.0	229.2
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.7	0.5	2.5	1.4
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 96.5	$ 87.1	$ 244.5	$ 227.8
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract]
Basic	$ 1.63	$ 1.47	$ 4.12	$ 3.84
Diluted	$ 1.62	$ 1.45	$ 4.09	$ 3.80
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.45	$ 0.41	$ 1.35	$ 1.23