Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 852.3	$ 834.8
Cost of goods sold	590.5	574.9
Gross profit	261.8	259.9
Selling & administrative expenses	157.7	158.0
Operating income	104.1	101.9
Interest expense, net	(11.1)	(9.0)
Other (expense) income, net	(2.1)	(1.3)
Total other expense	(13.2)	(10.3)
Income before income taxes	90.9	91.6
Provision for income taxes	27.0	29.6
Net income	63.9	62.0
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1.1	1.1
Net income attributable to Hubbell	$ 62.8	$ 60.9
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.13	$ 1.08
Diluted (USD per share)	1.13	1.08
Cash dividends per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.7	$ 0.63