Restructuring and Other Charges, Net (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended													0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 BRAE	Dec. 31, 2012 BRAE	Dec. 31, 2011 BRAE	Dec. 31, 2013 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)	Dec. 31, 2012 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia Pacific	Dec. 31, 2013 Americas	Dec. 31, 2012 Americas	Dec. 31, 2011 Americas	Jul. 30, 2013 2013 Actions	Dec. 31, 2013 2013 Actions	Jul. 30, 2013 2013 Actions Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Actions	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Actions	Apr. 30, 2011 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2013 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Actions Severance Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2013 2010 Actions	Dec. 31, 2012 2010 Actions	Dec. 31, 2011 2010 Actions	Feb. 28, 2010 2010 Actions France Facilities consolidation item	Dec. 31, 2013 2010 Actions France Facilities consolidation	Dec. 31, 2012 2010 Actions France Facilities consolidation	Sep. 13, 2010 2010 Actions U.S. Facilities consolidation item	Dec. 31, 2012 2010 Actions U.S. Facilities consolidation	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Actions	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Actions	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Actions	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Actions Europe Facilities consolidation	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Actions North America	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Actions North America Severance	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Actions North America Severance
Restructuring and other charges
Reduction in manufacturing footprint cost (as a percent)																10.00%
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	$ 10.0	$ 5.2	$ 10.0												$ 4.1		$ 1.1	$ 3.1					$ 0.7	$ 0.6	$ 3.3						$ 5.2	$ 3.5	$ 3.6	$ 4.0
Adjustment related to contingent liability reduction	(0.2)	(1.0)	(1.2)
Less: amounts included in cost of goods sold	(1.1)
Total restructuring and other charges, net	8.7	4.2	8.8
Net pre-tax restructuring charges, expected to be recorded through fiscal 2014														10.0
Original estimate of expected costs																			6.4							12.5			4.9
Expected pre-tax training and pre-production set-up costs																														2.0
Net after tax charge															2.9					2.8										1.5
Total expected restructuring and related costs (after tax)														10.0
Total estimated cost (pre-tax)														14.0								4.2					17.8	17.1		2.5
Restructuring reserve																					0						2.3
Number of operating facilities included under restructuring program																										5
Number of facilities after consolidation																										2
Severance charge																											0.7										1.1
Number of manufacturing facilities to be shut down																													2
Net pre-tax restructuring charges, expected to be recorded through fiscal 2015																																			0.4
Reduction in non-direct payroll cost (as a percent)																																				10.00%
Reduction in anticipated earnout payment				0.2	1.0	1.2
Total restructuring	$ 10.0	$ 5.2	$ 10.0				$ 8.7	$ 3.9	$ 8.6	$ 0.2	$ 1.3	$ 1.3	$ 1.2