Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,505.2	$ 3,390.4	$ 3,359.4
Cost of goods sold	2,404.5	2,298.6	2,250.4
Gross profit	1,100.7	1,091.8	1,109.0
Selling & administrative expenses	622.9	617.2	591.6
Operating income	477.8	474.6	517.4
Interest expense	(43.4)	(31.0)	(31.2)
Investment income	0.5	0.5	1.1
Other expense, net	(4.5)	(25.5)	(1.8)
Total other expense	(47.4)	(56.0)	(31.9)
Income before income taxes	430.4	418.6	485.5
Provision for income taxes	132.6	136.5	158.3
Net income	297.8	282.1	327.2
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	4.8	4.8	1.9
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HUBBELL	$ 293.0	$ 277.3	$ 325.3
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 5.26	$ 4.79	$ 5.51
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 5.24	$ 4.77	$ 5.48