Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,481.7	$ 3,668.8	$ 3,505.2
Cost of goods sold	3,181.3	2,513.7	2,400.1
Gross profit	1,300.4	1,155.1	1,105.1
Selling & administrative expenses	743.5	636.3	615.3
Operating income	556.9	518.8	489.8
Interest expense	(72.4)	(44.9)	(43.4)
Investment income	0.1	0.9	0.5
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0.0	(10.1)	0.0
Other expense, net	(17.6)	(21.6)	(16.5)
Total other expense	(89.9)	(75.7)	(59.4)
Income before income taxes	467.0	443.1	430.4
Provision for income taxes	100.9	193.2	132.6
Net income	366.1	249.9	297.8
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	5.9	6.8	4.8
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HUBBELL	$ 360.2	$ 243.1	$ 293.0
Earnings per share
Basic (USD per share)	$ 6.57	$ 4.42	$ 5.26
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 6.54	$ 4.39	$ 5.24