Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 877.0	$ 895.3	$ 2,560.7	$ 2,510.6
Cost of goods sold	585.9	599.1	1,732.8	1,676.9
Gross profit	291.1	296.2	827.9	833.7
Selling & administrative expenses	160.1	153.4	465.2	442.4
Operating income	131.0	142.8	362.7	391.3
Interest expense, net	(7.6)	(7.5)	(22.7)	(22.0)
Other (expense) income, net	(8.3)	(0.5)	(12.1)	(2.0)
Total other expense	(15.9)	(8.0)	(34.8)	(24.0)
Income before income taxes	115.1	134.8	327.9	367.3
Provision for income taxes	40.4	44.3	108.5	120.7
Net income	74.7	90.5	219.4	246.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1.4	0.9	3.6	2.6
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 73.3	$ 89.6	$ 215.8	$ 244.0
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.27	$ 1.52	$ 3.73	$ 4.13
Diluted (USD per share)	1.27	1.51	3.71	4.10
Cash dividends per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.56	$ 0.50	$ 1.68	$ 1.50