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Significant Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Policy Text Block [Abstract]  
Reclassifications [Text Block]

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made in prior year financial statements and notes to conform to the current year presentation.

 
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements include all wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company participates in two joint ventures, one of which is accounted for using the equity method, the other has been consolidated in accordance with the consolidation accounting guidance. An analysis is performed to determine which reporting entity, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”) with a primarily qualitative analysis. The qualitative analysis is based on identifying the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance (the “power criterion”) and the obligation to absorb losses from or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE (the “losses/benefit criterion”). The party that meets both these criteria is deemed to have a controlling financial interest. The party with the controlling financial interest is considered to be the primary beneficiary and as a result is required to consolidate the VIE. The Company has a 50% interest in a joint venture in Hong Kong, established as Hubbell Asia Limited (“HAL”). The principal objective of HAL is to manage the operations of its wholly-owned manufacturing company in China. Under the accounting guidance, the Company is the primary beneficiary of HAL and as a result consolidates HAL. This determination is based on the fact that HAL's sole business purpose is to manufacture product exclusively for the Company (the power criterion) and the Company is financially responsible for ensuring HAL maintains a fixed operating margin (the losses/benefit criterion). The consolidation of HAL is not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from the estimates that are used.

 
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and determinable and collection is probable. Product is considered delivered to the customer once it has been shipped and title and risk of loss have been transferred. The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized at the time of shipment. The Company recognizes less than one percent of total annual consolidated net revenue from post shipment obligations and service contracts, primarily within the Electrical segment. Revenue is recognized under these contracts when the service is completed and all conditions of sale have been met. In addition, within the Electrical segment, certain businesses sell large and complex equipment which requires construction and assembly and occasionally has long lead times. It is customary in these businesses to require a portion of the selling price to be paid in advance of construction. These payments are treated as deferred revenue and are classified in Other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Once the equipment is shipped to the customer and meets the revenue recognition criteria, the deferred revenue is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

 

Further, certain of our businesses account for sales discounts and allowances based on sales volumes, specific programs and customer deductions, as is customary in the electrical products industry. These items primarily relate to sales volume incentives, special pricing allowances, and returned goods. Sales volume incentives represent rebates with specific sales volume targets for specific customers. Certain distributors qualify for price rebates by subsequently reselling the Company's products into select channels of end users. Following a distributor's sale of an eligible product, the distributor submits a claim for a price rebate. Customers also have a right to return goods under certain circumstances which are reasonably estimable by affected businesses. Customer returns have historically ranged from 1%-3% of gross sales.

 

These arrangements require us to estimate at the time of sale the amounts that should not be recorded as revenue as these amounts are not expected to be collected from customers. The Company principally relies on historical experience, specific customer agreements and anticipated future trends to estimate these amounts at the time of shipment.

 
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

 

The Company records shipping and handling costs as part of Cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Any amounts billed to customers for reimbursement of shipping and handling are included in Net sales in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the year, and income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the year. The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on the translated amounts of foreign currency assets and liabilities are included as translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive loss within Hubbell shareholders' equity. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in results of operations.

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments

 

Investments in debt and equity securities are classified by individual security as available-for-sale, held-to-maturity or trading investments. Our available-for-sale investments, consisting of municipal bonds, are carried on the balance sheet at fair value with current period adjustments to carrying value recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss within Hubbell shareholders' equity, net of tax. Realized gains and losses are recorded in income in the period of sale. The Company's trading investments are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and consist primarily of debt and equity mutual funds. Gains and losses associated with these trading investments are reflected in the results of operations. The Company did not have any investments classified as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable and Allowances

 

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an estimated amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The allowance is calculated based upon a combination of historical write-off experience, fixed percentages applied to aging categories and specific identification based upon a review of past due balances and problem accounts. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is determined that internal collection efforts should no longer be pursued. The Company also maintains a reserve for credit memos, cash discounts and product returns which are principally calculated based upon historical experience, specific customer agreements, as well as anticipated future trends.

 
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. The cost of substantially all domestic inventories (approximately 85% of total net inventory value) is determined utilizing the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of inventory accounting. The cost of foreign inventories and certain domestic inventories is determined utilizing average cost or first-in, first-out (FIFO) methods of inventory accounting. Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory are provided based on current assessments about future demand compared to on-hand quantities.

 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant, and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment values are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repair expenditures that do not significantly increase the life of an asset are charged to expense when incurred. Property, plant and equipment placed in service prior to January 1, 1999 are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, principally using accelerated methods. Assets placed in service subsequent to January 1, 1999 are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, using straight-line methods. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their economic lives or the lease term. Gains and losses arising on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are included in Operating income in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

 
Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Capitalized Computer Software Costs

 

Capitalized computer software costs, net of amortization, were $10.9 million and $8.7 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This balance is reflected in Other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Capitalized computer software costs primarily consist of purchased materials and services. Software is amortized on a straight-line basis over appropriate periods, generally five years. The Company recorded amortization expense of $4.3 million, $3.5 million and $4.8 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, relating to capitalized computer software.

 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired companies. Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are subject to annual impairment testing using the specific guidance and criteria described in the accounting guidance. The Company performs its goodwill impairment testing as of April 1st of each year, unless circumstances dictate the need for more frequent assessments. The Company has elected to utilize the two step goodwill impairment testing process as prescribed in the accounting guidance. Step 1 compares the fair value of the Company's reporting units to their carrying values. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no further analysis is necessary. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, Step 2 must be completed to quantify the amount of impairment.

 

Goodwill impairment testing requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Significant judgments required to estimate the fair value of reporting units include estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions. The Company uses internal discounted cash flow estimates to determine fair value. These cash flow estimates are derived from historical experience and future long-term business plans and the application of an appropriate discount rate. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. The Company's estimated aggregate fair value of its reporting units are reasonable when compared to the Company's market capitalization on the valuation date.

 

As of April 1, 2013, the impairment testing resulted in implied fair values for each reporting unit that exceeded the reporting unit's carrying value, including goodwill. The Company did not have any reporting units at risk of failing Step 1 of the impairment test as the excess of the estimated fair value over carrying value (expressed as a percentage of carrying value) ranged from approximately 100% to approximately 400% for the respective reporting units. Additionally, the Company did not have any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The Company has not recorded any goodwill impairments since the initial adoption of the accounting guidance in 2002.

 

The Company's intangible assets consist primarily of patents, tradenames and customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite lives are being amortized over periods generally ranging from 5-30 years. These definite lived intangibles are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows used in determining the fair value of the asset. The Company did not record any impairments related to its definite lived intangible assets in 2013, 2012 or 2011. The Company also has some tradenames that are considered to be indefinite-lived intangible assets. These indefinite-lived are not amortized and are tested for impairment annually, unless circumstances dictate the need for more frequent assessment.

 

In 2012, the accounting guidance related to testing indefinite lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment was amended. The amendment provides entities an option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the asset. If the entity determines, on the basis of certain qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the asset is not impaired, the entity would not need to calculate the fair value of the asset. The Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to the determination of fair value of its indefinite lived intangibles which resulted in no impairment in 2013, 2012 or 2011.

 
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews depreciable long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. If such a change in circumstances occurs, the related estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset group and its eventual disposition is compared to the carrying amount. If the sum of the expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, an impairment charge is recorded. The impairment charge is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. The fair value of impaired assets is determined using expected cash flow estimates, quoted market prices when available and appraisals as appropriate. The Company did not record any material impairment charges in 2013, 2012 or 2011.

 
Accrued Insurance Policy [PolicyTextblock]

Accrued Insurance

 

The Company retains a significant portion of the risks associated with workers' compensation, medical, automobile and general liability insurance. The Company estimates self-insurance liabilities using a number of factors, including historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The accrued liabilities associated with these programs are based on the Company's estimate of the ultimate costs to settle known claims as well as claims incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date.  The Company periodically reviews the assumptions with a third party actuary to determine the adequacy of these self-insurance reserves.

 
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

 

The Company operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to audit in these jurisdictions. The IRS and other tax authorities routinely review the Company's tax returns. These audits can involve complex issues which may require an extended period of time to resolve. The Company makes adequate provisions for best estimates of exposures on previously filed tax returns. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequence of differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities by applying the currently enacted statutory tax rates in accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes. The effect of a change in statutory tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. Additionally, deferred tax assets are required to be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company uses factors to assess the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets such as the forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the deferred tax assets.

 

In addition, the accounting guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For any amount of benefit to be recognized, it must be determined that it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of benefit to be recognized is based on the Company's assertion of the most likely outcome resulting from an examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. Companies are required to adjust their financial statements to reflect only those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained. See also Note 12 — Income Taxes.

 
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development

 

Research and development expenditures represent costs to discover and/or apply new knowledge in developing a new product, process, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process. Research and development expenses are recorded as a component of Cost of goods sold. Expenses for research and development were approximately 2% of Cost of goods sold for each of the years 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Retirement Benefits

 

The Company maintains various defined benefit pension plans for some of its U.S. and foreign employees. The accounting guidance for retirement benefits requires the Company to recognize the funded status of its defined benefit pension and postretirement plans as an asset or liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition assets or obligations that have not yet been included in net periodic benefit cost as of the end of the year are recognized as components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, within Hubbell shareholders' equity. The Company's policy is to fund pension costs within the ranges prescribed by applicable regulations. In addition to providing defined benefit pension benefits, the Company provides health care and life insurance benefits for some of its active and retired employees. The Company's policy is to fund these benefits through insurance premiums or as actual expenditures are made. See also Note 10 — Retirement Benefits.

 
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

 

The earnings per share accounting guidance requires use of the two-class method in determining earnings per share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for common stock and participating securities. Restricted stock granted by the Company is considered a participating security since it contains a non-forfeitable right to dividends. Basic earnings per share is calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Earnings per diluted share is calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding of common stock plus the incremental shares outstanding assuming the exercise of dilutive stock options, stock appreciation rights and performance shares. See also Note 18 — Earnings Per Share.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company recognizes the grant-date fair value of all stock-based awards on a straight-line basis over their respective requisite service periods (generally equal to an award's vesting period), except for performance-based restricted stock awards which are expensed using the graded vesting attribution method. A stock-based award is considered vested for expense attribution purposes when the retention of the award is no longer contingent on providing subsequent service. Accordingly, the Company recognizes compensation cost immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible individuals or over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if less than the stated vesting period. The expense is recorded in Cost of goods sold and S&A expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income based on the recipients' respective functions within the organization.

 

The Company records deferred tax assets for awards that will result in deductions on its tax returns, based upon the amount of compensation cost recognized and the statutory tax rate in the jurisdiction in which it will receive a deduction. Differences between the deferred tax assets recognized for financial reporting purposes and the actual tax deduction reported in the Company's tax return are recorded to Additional paid-in capital to the extent that previously recognized credits to paid-in capital are still available. See also Note 17 — Stock-Based Compensation.

 
Derivatives, Reporting of Derivative Activity [Policy Text Block]

Derivatives

 

In order to limit financial risk in the management of its assets, liabilities and debt, the Company may use derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency hedges, commodity hedges, interest rate hedges and interest rate swaps. All derivative financial instruments are matched with an existing Company asset, liability or proposed transaction. The Company does not speculate or use leverage when trading a derivative product. Market value gains or losses on the derivative financial instrument are recognized in income when the effects of the related price changes of the underlying asset or liability are recognized in income. See Note 14 – Fair Value Measurement for more information regarding our derivative instruments.

 

 
New Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2013, the FASB amended the disclosure requirements regarding the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment does not change the current requirement for reporting net income or other comprehensive income, but requires additional disclosures about significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income including the effect of the reclassification on the related net income line items. This amendment was adopted prospectively by the Company effective January 1, 2013. See also Note 19 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.

 

In March 2013, the FASB amended guidance related to a parent company's accounting for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income upon derecognition of certain subsidiaries or groups of assets within a foreign entity or of an investment in a foreign entity. This guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and is to be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

In July 2013, the FASB amended its guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and is to be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective and early adoption are also permitted. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this amendment will have a material impact on its financial statements.