Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 1,166.7	$ 948.3	$ 2,157.9	$ 1,800.6
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	1,054.1		1,949.2
International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	112.6		208.7
Hubbell Commercial and Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	235.2		450.7
Hubbell Construction and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	207.4		393.9
Hubbell Lighting
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	246.0		462.1
Hubbell Power Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	478.1		851.2
Electrical
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	688.6	656.4	1,306.7	1,243.9
Electrical | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	614.1		1,160.8
Electrical | International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	74.5		145.9
Electrical | Hubbell Commercial and Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	235.2		450.7
Electrical | Hubbell Construction and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	207.4		393.9
Electrical | Hubbell Lighting
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	246.0		462.1
Electrical | Hubbell Power Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0		0.0
Power
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	478.1	$ 291.9	851.2	$ 556.7
Power | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	440.0		788.4
Power | International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	38.1		62.8
Power | Hubbell Commercial and Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0		0.0
Power | Hubbell Construction and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0		0.0
Power | Hubbell Lighting
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0		0.0
Power | Hubbell Power Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 478.1		$ 851.2