Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 834.8	$ 809.7
Cost of goods sold	574.9	557.9
Gross profit	259.9	251.8
Selling & administrative expenses	158.0	146.8
Operating income	101.9	105.0
Interest expense, net	(9.0)	(7.7)
Other (expense) income, net	(1.3)	(2.6)
Total other expense	(10.3)	(10.3)
Income before income taxes	91.6	94.7
Provision for income taxes	29.6	31.3
Net income	62.0	63.4
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1.1	1.0
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 60.9	$ 62.4
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.08	$ 1.07
Diluted (USD per share)	1.08	1.07
Cash dividends per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.56