Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 854.2	$ 907.4	$ 908.8	$ 834.8	$ 829.7	$ 877.0	$ 874.0	$ 809.7	$ 3,505.2	$ 3,390.4	$ 3,359.4
Cost of goods sold	595.6	618.7	615.3	574.9	562.8	587.0	590.9	557.9	2,404.5	2,298.6	2,250.4
Gross profit	258.6	288.7	293.5	259.9	266.9	290.0	283.1	251.8	1,100.7	1,091.8	1,109.0
Selling & administrative expenses	150.8	152.7	161.4	158.0	155.0	159.0	156.4	146.8	622.9	617.2	591.6
Net income	65.7	88.1	82.0	62.0	62.7	74.7	81.3	63.4	297.8	282.1	327.2
Net Income attributable to Hubbell	$ 64.4	$ 86.7	$ 81.0	$ 60.9	$ 61.5	$ 73.3	$ 80.1	$ 62.4	$ 293.0	$ 277.3	$ 325.3
Earning Per Share - Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.16	$ 1.56	$ 1.46	$ 1.08	$ 1.06	$ 1.27	$ 1.39	$ 1.07	$ 5.26	$ 4.79	$ 5.51
Earning Per Share - Diluted (USD per share)	$ 1.16	$ 1.56	$ 1.45	$ 1.08	$ 1.06	$ 1.27	$ 1.37	$ 1.07	$ 5.24	$ 4.77	$ 5.48