Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 907.4	$ 877.0	$ 2,651.0	$ 2,560.7
Cost of goods sold	618.7	587.0	1,808.9	1,735.8
Gross profit	288.7	290.0	842.1	824.9
Selling & administrative expenses	152.7	159.0	472.1	462.2
Operating income	136.0	131.0	370.0	362.7
Interest expense, net	(11.6)	(7.6)	(31.9)	(22.7)
Other (expense) income, net	(0.3)	(8.3)	(5.6)	(12.1)
Total other expense	(11.9)	(15.9)	(37.5)	(34.8)
Income before income taxes	124.1	115.1	332.5	327.9
Provision for income taxes	36.0	40.4	100.4	108.5
Net income	88.1	74.7	232.1	219.4
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1.4	1.4	3.5	3.6
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 86.7	$ 73.3	$ 228.6	$ 215.8
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.56	$ 1.27	$ 4.10	$ 3.73
Diluted (USD per share)	1.56	1.27	4.08	3.71
Cash dividends per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.56	$ 1.89	$ 1.68