Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,186.0	$ 4,591.0	$ 4,481.7
Cost of goods sold	2,976.7	3,238.3	3,181.3
Gross profit	1,209.3	1,352.7	1,300.4
Selling & administrative expenses	676.3	756.1	743.5
Operating income	533.0	596.6	556.9
Gain on disposition of business (Note 3)	0.0	21.7	0.0
Pension charge (Note 11 & 15)	(7.6)	(8.5)	0.0
Interest expense	(60.3)	(69.4)	(72.4)
Investment income	0.0	1.5	0.1
Other expense, net	(11.6)	(21.4)	(17.6)
Total other expense	(79.5)	(76.1)	(89.9)
Income before income taxes	453.5	520.5	467.0
Provision for income taxes	97.5	113.1	100.9
Net income	356.0	407.4	366.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	4.8	6.5	5.9
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HUBBELL INCORPORATED	$ 351.2	$ 400.9	$ 360.2
Earnings per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 6.46	$ 7.35	$ 6.57
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 6.43	$ 7.31	$ 6.54