EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Dividends
Dividends declared, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Changes in Equity
Balance	$ 2,280.0	$ 2,237.3
Net income (loss)	3.6	12.8
Net unrealized gains on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit (provision)	4.0	0.6
Net unrealized gains (losses) on qualifying cash flow hedges, tax provision	2.5	0.5
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(0.5)	2.8
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision	8.5	2.7
Pension liability adjustment, tax benefit (provision)	3.5	1.8
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(87.8)	59.1
Comprehensive income (loss)	(72.2)	78.0
Dividends declared	(11.4)	(12.8)
Exercise of stock options and other incentive plan activity	10.1	13.2
Exercise of stock options and other incentive plan activity, tax benefit	5.8	3.0
Amortization of restricted stock and stock unit grants	20.3	22.3
Amortization of restricted stock and stock unit grants relating to discontinued operations		0.5
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting, net of tax withholdings	(20.5)	(4.3)
Common stock repurchases	(131.4)	(43.2)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests	(0.2)	(0.1)
Balance	2,074.7	2,290.4
SPX Corporation Shareholders' Equity
Changes in Equity
Balance	2,268.7	2,227.3
Net income (loss)	2.3	13.5
Net unrealized gains on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit (provision)	4.0	0.6
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(0.5)	2.8
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision	8.5	2.7
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(87.2)	58.8
Comprehensive income (loss)	(72.9)	78.4
Dividends declared	(11.4)	(12.8)
Exercise of stock options and other incentive plan activity	10.1	13.2
Amortization of restricted stock and stock unit grants	20.3	22.3
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting, net of tax withholdings	(20.5)	(4.3)
Common stock repurchases	(131.4)	(43.2)
Balance	2,062.9	2,280.9
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in Equity
Balance	11.3	10.0
Net income (loss)	1.3	(0.7)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(0.6)	0.3
Comprehensive income (loss)	0.7	(0.4)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests	(0.2)	(0.1)
Balance	$ 11.8	$ 9.5