Eaton (ETN) 10-K 26 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Eaton Corp plc
Entity Central Index Key	1551182
Trading Symbol	ETN
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$36.70
Entity Ordinary Shares, Shares Outstanding		467.9

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$22,552	$22,046	$16,311
Cost of products sold	15,646	15,369	11,448
Selling and administrative expense	3,810	3,886	2,894
Litigation settlements	644	0	0
Research and development expense	647	644	439
Interest expense - net	227	271	208
Other (income) expense - net	-183	-8	71
Income before income taxes	1,761	1,884	1,251
Income tax (benefit) expense	-42	11	31
Net income	1,803	1,873	1,220
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	-10	-12	-3
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$1,793	$1,861	$1,217
Net income per ordinary share
Diluted	$3.76	$3.90	$3.46
Basic	$3.78	$3.93	$3.54
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding
Diluted	476.8	476.7	350.9
Basic	474.1	473.5	347.8
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share	$1.96	$1.68	$1.52

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash	$781	$915
Short-term investments	245	794
Accounts receivable - net	3,667	3,648
Inventory	2,428	2,382
Deferred income taxes	593	577
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	386	415
Total current assets	8,100	8,731
Property, plant and equipment
Land and buildings	2,343	2,461
Machinery and equipment	5,621	5,504
Gross property, plant and equipment	7,964	7,965
Accumulated depreciation	-4,214	-4,132
Net property, plant and equipment	3,750	3,833
Other noncurrent assets
Goodwill	13,893	14,495
Other intangible assets	6,556	7,186
Deferred income taxes	228	240
Other assets	1,002	1,006
Total assets	33,529	35,491
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	2	13
Current portion of long-term debt	1,008	567
Accounts payable	1,940	1,960
Accrued compensation	420	461
Other current liabilities	1,985	1,913
Total current liabilities	5,355	4,914
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	8,024	8,969
Pension liabilities	1,812	1,465
Other postretirement benefits liabilities	513	668
Deferred income taxes	901	1,313
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,085	1,299
Total noncurrent liabilities	12,335	13,714
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares (467.9 million outstanding in 2014 and 475.1 million in 2013)	5	5
Capital in excess of par value	11,605	11,483
Retained earnings	7,078	6,866
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,899	-1,560
Shares held in trust	-3	-3
Total Eaton shareholders' equity	15,786	16,791
Noncontrolling interests	53	72
Total equity	15,839	16,863
Total liabilities and equity	$33,529	$35,491

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parentheticals	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Ordinary shares outstanding	467.9	475.1

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net income	$1,803	$1,873	$1,220
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	983	997	598
Deferred income taxes	-382	-311	-155
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	293	384	335
Contributions to pension plans	-362	-341	-413
Contributions to other postretirement benefits plans	-40	-59	-43
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	-20	-32	-21
(Gain) loss on sale of businesses	-68	-2	1
Changes in working capital
Accounts receivable - net	-205	-231	108
Inventory	-152	-92	166
Accounts payable	49	86	-220
Accrued compensation	-32	0	-52
Accrued income and other taxes	-73	1	-86
Other current assets	73	-42	117
Other current liabilites	8	-46	30
Other - net	3	100	79
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,878	2,285	1,664
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-632	-614	-593
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	2	-9	-6,936
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments - net	522	-288	603
Proceeds from sale of businesses	282	777	3
Other - net	-31	-68	-49
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	143	-202	-6,972
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	0	9	7,156
Payments on borrowings	-582	-1,096	-1,324
Payments of financing costs	0	0	-117
Cash dividends paid	-929	-796	-512
Exercise of employee stock options	54	121	95
(Repurchase) issuance of shares	-650	0	159
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	20	32	21
Other - net	-43	-6	2
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-2,130	-1,736	5,480
Effect of currency on cash	-25	-9	20
Total (decrease) increase in cash	-134	338	192
Cash at the beginning of the period	915	577	385
Cash at the end of the period	$781	$915	$577

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Statement (USD $)	Total	Ordinary Shares [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Shares Held in Trust [Member]	Total Eaton Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
In Millions, except Per Share data	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$7,492	$167	$4,169	$5,103	($1,964)	($6)	$7,469	$23
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding at period start at Dec. 31, 2011		334.4
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share	$1.52
Net income	1,220	0	0	1,217	0	0	1,217	3
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0				0		0	0
Cash dividends paid	-515	0	0	-512	0	0	-512	-3
Exchange of Eaton Corporation shares (par value $0.50 per share) for Eaton shares (par value $0.01 per share)	0	-166	166	0	0	0	0	0
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans - net (net of income tax benefit of $20, $32 and $23 for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively), shares		5
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans - net (net of income tax benefit of $20, $32 and $23 for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	129	2	129	-2	0	0	129	0
Issuance of shares under employee benefit plans, shares		3.2
Issuance of shares under employee benefit plans	168	0	166	0	0	2	168	0
Issuance of shares from acquisition of business, shares		128.1
Issuance of shares from acquisition of business	6,691	2	6,648	-1	0	0	6,649	42
Registration of ordinary shares	-7	0	-7	0	0	0	-7	0
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	15,178	5	11,271	5,805	-1,964	-4	15,113	65
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding at period end at Dec. 31, 2012		470.7
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share	$1.68
Net income	1,873	0	0	1,861	0	0	1,861	12
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	404				404		404	0
Cash dividends paid	-801	0	0	-796	0	0	-796	-5
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans - net (net of income tax benefit of $20, $32 and $23 for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively), shares		4.4
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans - net (net of income tax benefit of $20, $32 and $23 for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	209	0	212	-4	0	1	209	0
Shareholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interest at period end at Dec. 31, 2013	72
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	16,863	5	11,483	6,866	-1,560	-3	16,791	72
Shareholders' equity attributable to parent at period end at Dec. 31, 2013	16,791
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding at period end at Dec. 31, 2013	475.1	475.1
Cash dividends declared per ordinary share	$1.96
Net income	1,803	0	0	1,793	0	0	1,793	10
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1,339				-1,339		-1,339	0
Cash dividends paid	-934	0	0	-929	0	0	-929	-5
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans - net (net of income tax benefit of $20, $32 and $23 for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively), shares		2.4
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans - net (net of income tax benefit of $20, $32 and $23 for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	134	0	136	-2	0	0	134	0
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interest of consolidated subsidiaries		0	-14	0	0	0	-14
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interest of consolidated subsidiaries	-38							-24
Repurchase of shares, shares		-9.6
Repurchase of shares	-650	0	0	-650	0	0	-650	0
Shareholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interest at period end at Dec. 31, 2014	53
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	15,839	5	11,605	7,078	-2,899	-3	15,786	53
Shareholders' equity attributable to parent at period end at Dec. 31, 2014	$15,786
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding at period end at Dec. 31, 2014	467.9	467.9

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha1

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Parenthetical (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans - net, net of income tax benefit	$20	$32	$23
Eaton Corporation common share par value			$0.50
Eaton Corporation plc ordinary share par value	$0.01		$0.01

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income	$1,803	$1,873	$1,220
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	-10	-12	-3
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,793	1,861	1,217
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Currency translation and related hedging instruments	-1,019	-28	135
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	-315	429	-152
Cash flow hedges	-5	3	17
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-1,339	404	0
Total comprehensive income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$454	$2,265	$1,217

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	General Information and Basis of Presentation
	Eaton Corporation plc (Eaton or the Company) is a power management company with 2014 net sales of $22.6 billion. The Company provides energy-efficient solutions that help its customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 102,000 employees in over 60 countries and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries.
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eaton and all subsidiaries and other entities it controls. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in associate companies where the Company has significant influence and generally a 20% to 50% ownership interest. Equity investments are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the book value of the investment exceeds fair value. An impairment would exist if there is an other-than-temporary decline in value. These associate companies are not material either individually, or in the aggregate, to Eaton's consolidated financial statements. Eaton does not have off-balance sheet arrangements or financings with unconsolidated entities. In the ordinary course of business, the Company leases certain real properties and equipment, as described in Note 7.
	Eaton's functional currency is United States Dollars (USD). The functional currency for most subsidiaries is their local currency. Financial statements for these subsidiaries are translated at year-end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and weighted-average exchange rates as to revenues and expenses. The resulting translation adjustments are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	Revenue Recognition
	Sales of products are recognized when a sales agreement is in place, products have been shipped to unaffiliated customers and title has transferred in accordance with shipping terms, the selling price is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured, all significant related acts of performance have been completed, and no other significant uncertainties exist. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in Net sales and the related costs in Cost of products sold. Although the majority of the sales agreements contain standard terms and conditions, there are agreements that contain multiple elements or non-standard terms and conditions. As a result, judgment is required to determine the appropriate accounting, including whether the deliverables specified in these agreements should be treated as separate units of accounting for recognition purposes, and, if so, how the sales price should be allocated among the elements and when to recognize sales for each element. For delivered elements, sales generally are recognized only when the delivered elements have standalone value and there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance. Sales for service contracts generally are recognized as the services are provided.
	Eaton records reductions to revenue for customer and distributor incentives, primarily comprised of rebates, at the time of the initial sale. Rebates are estimated based on sales terms, historical experience, trend analysis, and projected market conditions in the various markets served. The rebate programs offered vary across businesses due to the numerous markets Eaton serves, but the most common incentives relate to amounts paid or credited to customers for achieving defined volume levels.
	Goodwill and Indefinite Life Intangible Assets
	Goodwill is evaluated annually for impairment as of July 1 using either a quantitative or qualitative analysis. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is equivalent to Eaton's operating segments and based on the net assets for each segment, including goodwill and intangible assets. Goodwill is assigned to each operating segment, as this represents the lowest level that constitutes a business and is the level at which management regularly reviews the operating results. The Company performs a quantitative analysis using a discounted cash flow model and other valuation techniques, but may elect to perform a qualitative analysis. Additionally, goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate there may be a possible permanent loss of value.
	Goodwill impairment testing for 2014 was performed using a qualitative analysis, which is performed by assessing certain trends and factors, including projected market outlook and growth rates, forecasted and actual sales and operating profit margins, discount rates, industry data, and other relevant qualitative factors. These trends and factors are compared to, and based on, the assumptions used in the most recent quantitative assessment. The results of the qualitative analysis did not indicate a need to perform a quantitative analysis.
	Goodwill impairment testing for 2013 was performed using a quantitative analysis under which the fair value for each reporting unit was estimated using a discounted cash flow model, which considered forecasted cash flows discounted at an estimated weighted-average cost of capital. The forecasted cash flows were based on the Company's long-term operating plan and a terminal value was used to estimate the operating segment's cash flows beyond the period covered by the operating plan. The weighted-average cost of capital is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by equity and debt market holders of a business enterprise. These analyses require the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the timing of expected future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. Sensitivity analyses were performed in order to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions and the resulting estimated fair values.
	For 2014 and 2013, based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively, the fair values of Eaton's reporting units continue to substantially exceed the respective carrying amounts.
	Indefinite life intangible assets consist of trademarks. They are evaluated annually for impairment as of July 1 using either a quantitative or qualitative analysis to determine whether their fair values exceed their respective carrying amounts. Indefinite life intangible asset impairment testing for 2014 and 2013 was performed using a quantitative analysis. The Company determines the fair value of these assets using a royalty relief methodology similar to that employed when the associated assets were acquired, but using updated estimates of future sales, cash flows and profitability. For 2014 and 2013, the fair value of indefinite lived intangible assets substantially exceeded the respective carrying value.
	For additional information about goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 4.
	Other Long-Lived Assets
	Depreciation and amortization for property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets subject to amortization, are generally computed by the straight-line method and included in Cost of products sold, Selling and administrative expense, and Research and development expense, as appropriate. Cost of buildings are depreciated generally over 40 years and machinery and equipment over 3 to 10 years. At December 31, 2014, the weighted-average amortization period for intangible assets subject to amortization was 17 years for patents and technology, primarily as a result of the long life of aircraft platforms; 17 years for customer relationships; and 16 years for trademarks. Software is amortized up to a maximum life of 10 years.
	Other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Upon indications of impairment, assets and liabilities are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The asset group would be considered impaired when the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows generated by the asset group are less than its carrying value. Determining asset groups and underlying cash flows requires the use of significant judgment.
	Retirement Benefits Plans
	For the principal pension plans in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom, the Company uses a market-related value of plan assets to calculate the expected return on assets used to determine net periodic benefit costs. The market-related value of plan assets is a calculated value that recognizes changes in the fair value of plan assets over a five year period. All other plans use fair value of plan assets.
	Net actuarial gains or losses are amortized to expense on a plan-by-plan basis when they exceed the accounting corridor. The Company’s corridors are set at either 8% or 10%, depending on the plan, of the greater of the plan assets or benefit obligations. Gains or losses outside of the corridor are subject to amortization over an average employee future service period that differs by plan, but is approximately 13 years on a weighted average basis. If most or all of the plan’s participants are no longer actively accruing benefits, the average life expectancy is used.
	Warranty Accruals
	Product warranty accruals are established at the time the related sale is recognized through a charge to Cost of products sold. Warranty accrual estimates are based primarily on historical warranty claim experience and specific customer contracts. Provisions for warranty accruals are comprised of basic warranties for products sold, as well as accruals for product recalls and other events when they are known and estimable. See Note 7 for additional information about warranty accruals.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	A conditional asset retirement obligation is recognized at fair value when incurred if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Uncertainty about the timing or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation would be considered in the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. Eaton believes that for substantially all of its asset retirement obligations, there is an indeterminate settlement date because the range of time over which the Company may settle the obligation is unknown or cannot be estimated. A liability for these obligations will be recognized when sufficient information is available to estimate fair value.
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of the respective assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for income tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards. Judgment is required in determining and evaluating income tax provisions and valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets. Eaton recognizes the income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Eaton evaluates and adjusts these accruals based on changing facts and circumstances. Eaton recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in the provision for income tax expense. Penalties on unrecognized income tax benefits have been accrued for jurisdictions where penalties are automatically applied to any deficiency, regardless of the merit of the position. For additional information about income taxes, see Note 8.
	Equity-Based Compensation
	Eaton recognizes equity-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the award over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Participants awarded restricted stock units (RSUs) do not receive dividends; therefore, their fair value is determined by reducing the closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the date of grant by the present value of the estimated dividends had they been paid. The RSUs entitle the holder to receive one ordinary share for each RSU upon vesting, generally over three or four years. The fair value of restricted stock awards (RSAs) is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares at the date of grant. RSAs are issued and outstanding at the time of grant, but remain subject to forfeiture until vested, generally over three or four years. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of Eaton ordinary shares on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate, and the expected dividend yield. See Note 10 for additional information about equity-based compensation.
	Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Eaton uses derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure to the volatility in raw material costs, currency, and interest rates on certain debt. These instruments are marked to fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of derivative assets or liabilities (i.e., gains or losses) are recognized depending upon the type of hedging relationship and whether an instrument has been designated as a hedge. For those instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, Eaton designates the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a cash flow hedge, a fair value hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Changes in fair value of these instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized immediately in net income. See Note 12 for additional information about hedges and derivative financial instruments.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09). This accounting standard supersedes all existing US GAAP revenue recognition guidance. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers the control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the company expects to collect in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will require additional disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Eaton is evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09 and an estimate of the impact to the consolidated financial statements cannot be made at this time.

Acquisitions_and_Sales_of_Busi

Acquisitions and Sales of Businesses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Sales of Businesses	ACQUISITIONS AND SALES OF BUSINESSES
	In 2012, Eaton acquired businesses for combined purchase prices totaling $13,796. The Consolidated Statements of Income include the results of these businesses from the dates of the transactions or formation.
	Cooper Industries plc
	On November 30, 2012, Eaton Corporation acquired Cooper Industries plc (Cooper) for a purchase price of $13,192. At the completion of the transaction, the holder of each Cooper common share received from Eaton $39.15 in cash and 0.77479 of an Eaton ordinary share. As a result of the transaction, based on the number of outstanding shares of Eaton Corporation and Cooper as of November 30, 2012, former Eaton Corporation and Cooper shareholders held approximately 73% and 27%, respectively, of Eaton's ordinary shares after giving effect to the acquisition.
	Cooper was a diversified global manufacturer of electrical products and systems, with brands including Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products. Cooper had annual sales of $5,409 for 2011. For segment reporting purposes, Cooper has been included in Electrical Products and Electrical Systems and Services business segments. See Note 14 for additional information about business segments.
	Fair Value of Consideration Transferred
	The total purchase price for the acquisition of Cooper was $13,192, comprised of Eaton share consideration valued at $6,649 and cash consideration for Cooper shares of $6,474 and to settle certain Cooper equity-based compensation plans of $69, as follows:
	Cooper shares outstanding as of November 30, 2012	163.6
	Cooper shares issued pursuant to conversion of stock options and share units outstanding under	1.8
	Cooper equity-based compensation plans
	Total Cooper shares and share equivalents prior to transaction	165.4
	Exchange ratio per share	0.77479
	Total Eaton shares issued	128.1
	Weighted-average Eaton Corporation per share price on November 30, 2012	$	51.91
	Total value of Eaton shares issued	$	6,649
	Total cash consideration paid at $39.15 per Cooper share and share equivalent	6,474
	Total cash consideration paid for equity-based compensation plans	69
	Total consideration	$	13,192
	Purchase Price Allocation
	The acquisition of Cooper has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting which requires, among other things, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. For accounting purposes, Eaton has been treated as the acquirer in the transaction. The process for estimating the fair values of identifiable intangible assets and certain tangible assets and assumed liabilities requires the use of judgment in determining the appropriate assumptions and estimates.
	The purchase price allocation below represents Cooper's opening balance sheet on November 30, 2012, which was initially reported in Eaton's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, updated by Exhibit 99.1 of Eaton's current report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2013 and subsequently updated in Eaton's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. During the measurement period, which ended November 30, 2013, opening balance sheet adjustments were made to finalize Eaton's preliminary fair value estimates related primarily to intangible assets, goodwill, certain property values, contingent liabilities and the related deferred tax impact. Eaton's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012, as presented in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, was adjusted to reflect the final purchase price allocation. The Company did not revise the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2013, as any adjustment was considered immaterial.
		November 30,				Adjustments			November 30,
		2012							2012
		(as previously							(final adjusted)
		reported)
	Working capital accounts (1)	$	2,304			$	(18	)	$	2,286
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	204				69			273
	Property, plant and equipment	885				(40		)	845
	Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC	807				(7		)	800
	Intangible assets	5,250				119			5,369
	Other assets	35				30			65
	Debt	(1,221		)		—			(1,221		)
	Accounts payable	(519		)		3			(516		)
	Other current liabilities	(673		)		(206		)	(879		)
	Other noncurrent liabilities	(2,185		)		(177		)	(2,362		)
	Total identifiable net assets	4,887				(227		)	4,660
	Goodwill	8,305				227			8,532
	Total consideration	$	13,192			$	—		$	13,192
	(1) Working capital accounts include Cash, Short-term investments, Accounts receivable and Inventory.
	Goodwill has been allocated to the Electrical Products and Electrical Systems and Services segments. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the expected revenue and cost synergies of the combined company and assembled workforce, which are further described above. Goodwill recognized as a result of the acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes. See Note 4 for additional information about goodwill and other intangible assets.
	The estimated fair value of Accounts receivable is based on the historical gross contractual amount receivable as of the acquisition date and totals $955.
	Contingent liabilities assumed as part of the transaction total $419 and are included in Other current liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities. These contingent liabilities are related to environmental, legal (including product liability claims) and tax matters. Contingent liabilities are recorded at fair value in purchase accounting, aside from those pertaining to uncertainty in income taxes which are an exception to the fair value basis of accounting. Legal matters, and certain environmental matters that are legal in nature, are recorded at the respective probable and estimable amount.
	Actual and Pro Forma Impact
	Eaton's Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 include Cooper's results of operations from the date of acquisition on November 30, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Net sales and operating profit attributable to Cooper during this period and included in Eaton's Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 total $470 and $66, respectively.
	The following unaudited pro forma information gives effect to Eaton's acquisition of Cooper as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012 and Cooper had been included in Eaton's consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
		2012
	Net sales	$	21,792
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,695
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	3.54
	The historical consolidated financial information of Eaton and Cooper has been adjusted in the pro forma information to give effect to pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the transaction, (2) factually supportable and (3) expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results. For pro forma purposes, the equity in income of Apex Tool Group, LLC has been excluded as this joint venture was sold on February 1, 2013.
	Acquisitions and Sales of Other Businesses
	In 2012, Eaton acquired other businesses in separate transactions. The Consolidated Statements of Income include the results of these businesses from the dates of the transactions. These transactions, and the related annual sales prior to acquisition, are summarized below:
	Acquired businesses		Date of		Business		Annual sales
			transaction		segment
	Rolec Comercial e Industrial S.A.		September 28,		Electrical		$85 for the
			2012		Systems		12 months
					and		ended
					Services		September 30,
	A Chilean manufacturer of integrated power assemblies and low- and medium-voltage switchgear, and a provider of engineering services serving mining and other heavy industrial applications in Chile and Peru.						2012
	Jeil Hydraulics Co., Ltd.		July 6,		Hydraulics		$189 for 2011
	A Korean manufacturer of track drive motors, swing drive motors, main control valves and remote control valves for the construction equipment market.		2012
	Polimer Kaucuk Sanayi ve Pazarlama A.S.		June 1,		Hydraulics		$335 for 2011
	A Turkish manufacturer of hydraulic and industrial hose for construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, food and beverage, and chemicals markets. This business sells its products under the SEL brand name.		2012
	Gycom Electrical Low-Voltage Power Distribution, Control and Automation		June 1,		Electrical		$24 for 2011
2012			Systems
			and
A Swedish electrical low-voltage power distribution, control and automation components business.				Services
See Note 3 for additional information about acquisition integration charges and transaction costs related to Eaton's business acquisitions.
Sale of Aerospace Power Distribution Management Solutions and Integrated Cockpit Solutions
On May 9, 2014, Eaton sold the Aerospace Power Distribution Management Solutions and Integrated Cockpit Solutions businesses to Safran for $270, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $154.
Sale of Apex Tool Group, LLC
In July 2010, Cooper formed a joint venture, named Apex Tool Group, LLC (Apex), with Danaher Corporation (Danaher). On February 1, 2013, Cooper and Danaher sold Apex to Bain Capital for approximately $1.6 billion, subject to post-closing adjustments.

Acquisition_Integration_and_Re

Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges	ACQUISITION INTEGRATION AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
	Acquisition Integration Charges and Transaction Costs
	Eaton incurs integration charges and transaction costs related to acquired businesses. A summary of these charges follows:
		2014		2013		2012
	Acquisition integration charges
	Electrical Products	$	66	$	44	$	4
	Electrical Systems and Services	51		37		13
	Hydraulics	12		36		16
	Total business segments	129		117		33
	Corporate	25		37		11
	Total acquisition integration charges	154		154		44
	Transaction costs
	Corporate	—		8		106
	Financing fees	—		1		72
	Total transaction costs	—		9		178
	Total acquisition integration charges and transaction costs	$	154	$	163	$	222
	before income taxes
	Total after income taxes	$	102	$	110	$	167
	Per ordinary share - diluted	$	0.21	$	0.23	$	0.48
	Business segment integration charges in 2014 related primarily to the integration of Cooper. Business segment integration charges in 2013 related primarily to the integrations of Cooper and Polimer Kaucuk Sanayi ve Pazarlama (SEL). Business segment integration charges in 2012 related primarily to the integrations of SEL, Jeil Hydraulics, Cooper, and Internormen Technology Group. These charges were included in Cost of products sold or Selling and administrative expense, as appropriate. In Business Segment Information, the charges reduced Operating profit of the related business segment.
	Corporate integration charges in 2014 and 2013 related primarily to the acquisition of Cooper. These charges were included in Selling and administrative expense. In Business Segment Information, the charges were included in Other corporate expense - net.
	Acquisition-related transaction costs, such as investment banking, legal, and other professional fees, and costs associated with change in control agreements, are not included as a component of consideration transferred in an acquisition but are expensed as incurred. Acquisition-related transaction costs in 2013 and 2012 related to the acquisition of Cooper and were included in Corporate above. These charges were included in Selling and administrative expense, Interest expense - net and Other (income) expense - net. In Business Segment Information, the charges were included in Interest expense - net and Other corporate expense - net.
	See Note 2 for additional information about business acquisitions.
	Restructuring Charges
	During the fourth quarter of 2012, Eaton undertook restructuring activities to improve the efficiency of certain businesses. These actions resulted in a charge in the fourth quarter of 2012 of $50, comprised of severance costs totaling $34 and other non-cash expenses totaling $16, of which $2, $2, $17, $17, $4 and $8 were recognized in the Electrical Products, Electrical Systems and Services, Vehicle, Hydraulics, and Aerospace business segments and Corporate, respectively.
	During 2014 and 2013, Eaton undertook restructuring activities related to the acquisition and integration of Cooper in an effort to gain efficiencies in selling, marketing, traditional back-office functions and manufacturing and distribution. These actions, resulted in charges of $95 during 2014, comprised of severance costs totaling $69 and other expenses totaling $26, of which $53 and $42 were recognized in the Electrical Products and Electrical Systems and Services business segments, respectively. During 2013, these actions, comprised primarily of severance costs, resulted in charges of $36, of which $19 and $17 were recognized in the Electrical Products and Electrical Systems and Services business segments, respectively. These restructuring initiatives are expected to continue through 2015. These charges are included in the table above in acquisition integration charges.
	During 2014, Eaton undertook additional restructuring activities in an effort to gain efficiencies in operations. These actions resulted in charges of $54 during 2014, comprised of severance costs totaling $48 and other expenses totaling $6, of which $32, $16, $2 and $4 were recognized in the Vehicle, Hydraulics and Aerospace business segments, and Corporate, respectively.
	Restructuring charges were included in Cost of products sold or Selling and administrative expense, as appropriate. In Business Segment Information, the charges reduced Operating profit of the related business segment. See Note 14 for additional information about business segments. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the liabilities related to these restructuring actions totaled $84 and $32, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment follow:
		Electrical			Electrical			Hydraulics			Aerospace			Vehicle			Total
		Products			Systems
					and Services
	31-Dec-12	$	7,117		$	4,520		$	1,404		$	1,045		$	357		$	14,443
	Additions	1			22			4			—			—			27
	Translation adjustments	71			(25		)	(23		)	3			(1		)	25
	31-Dec-13	7,189			4,517			1,385			1,048			356			14,495
	Goodwill written off from	—			—			—			(78		)	—			(78		)
	sale of businesses
	Translation adjustments	(249		)	(203		)	(58		)	(8		)	(6		)	(524		)
	31-Dec-14	$	6,940		$	4,314		$	1,327		$	962		$	350		$	13,893
	A summary of other intangible assets follows:
		2014						2013
		Historical			Accumulated			Historical			Accumulated
		cost			amortization			cost			amortization
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization
	Trademarks	$	1,844					$	1,868
	Intangible assets subject to amortization
	Customer relationships	$	3,674		$	834		$	3,859		$	669
	Patents and technology	1,494			440			1,588			389
	Trademarks	980			250			1,052			215
	Other	103			15			103			11
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$	6,251		$	1,539		$	6,602		$	1,284
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization in 2014, and estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years, follows:
	2014	$	424
	2015	410
	2016	397
	2017	387
	2018	367
	2019	360
	Other Intangible Assets Related to the Acquisition of Cooper
	The estimated fair values of other intangible assets acquired in the Cooper transaction and included in the table above were determined using an income valuation approach, which requires a forecast of expected future cash flows either through the use of the relief-from-royalty method or the multi-period excess earnings method. The final adjusted estimated fair value, as of November 30, 2012, of these identifiable intangible assets, their estimated useful lives and valuation methodology are as follows:
		Fair value			Useful life		Valuation method
	Trade names (indefinite-lived)	$	1,410		N/A		Relief-from-royalty
	Trade names	638			20-Mar		Relief-from-royalty
	Customer relationships	2,510			13-18		Multi-period excess earnings
	Technology	767			20-Apr		Relief-from-royalty;
							Multi-period excess earnings
	Contract-based	44			9.5		Relief-from-royalty
		$	5,369

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT
	A summary of long-term debt, including the current portion, follows:
		2014			2013
	5.95% notes due 2014	$	—		$	250
	Floating rate notes due 2014	—			300
	5.45% debentures due 2015	300			300
	4.65% notes due 2015	100			100
	0.95% senior notes due 2015	600			600
	2.375% debentures due 2016	240			240
	5.30% notes due 2017 ($150 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	250			250
	6.10% debentures due 2017	289			289
	1.50% senior notes due 2017 ($650 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	1,000			1,000
	5.60% notes due 2018 ($415 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	450			450
	4.215% Japanese Yen notes due 2018	84			95
	6.95% notes due 2019 ($300 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	300			300
	3.875% debentures due 2020 ($150 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	239			239
	3.47% notes due 2021 ($200 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	300			300
	8.10% debentures due 2022	100			100
	2.75% senior notes due 2022 ($1,250 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	1,600			1,600
	3.68% notes due 2023 ($200 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	300			300
	6.50% debentures due 2025	145			145
	7.65% debentures due 2029 ($50 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	200			200
	4.00% senior notes due 2032	700			700
	5.45% debentures due 2034 ($25 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	136			136
	5.80% notes due 2037	240			240
	4.15% senior notes due 2042	1,000			1,000
	5.25% to 12.5% notes (maturities ranging from 2014 to 2035, including $50 converted to	239			249
	floating rate by interest rate swap)
	Other	220			153
	Total long-term debt	9,032			9,536
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(1,008		)	(567		)
	Long-term debt less current portion	$	8,024		$	8,969
	On October 3, 2014, Eaton refinanced a $500, five-year revolving credit facility and a $750, three-year revolving credit facility with a $500, four-year revolving credit facility that will expire October 3, 2018 and a $750, five-year revolving credit facility that will expire October 3, 2019, respectively. Eaton also maintains a $750, five-year revolving credit facility that will expire June 14, 2017. These refinancings maintain long-term revolving credit facilities at a total of $2,000. The revolving credit facilities are used to support commercial paper borrowings and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Eaton and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries on an unsubordinated, unsecured basis. There were no borrowings outstanding under Eaton's revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	On March 20, 2014 and June 16, 2014, the Company repaid the $250, 5.95% notes due 2014 and the $300, floating rate notes due 2014, respectively.
	On November 20, 2012, Eaton issued senior notes totaling $4,900 to finance the cash portion of the acquisition of Cooper. On November 14, 2013, Eaton exchanged these senior notes for senior notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Senior Notes). The Senior Notes are comprised of five tranches which mature in 2015, 2017, 2022, 2032 and 2042, with interest payable semi-annually at a respective rate of 0.95%, 1.50%, 2.75%, 4.00% and 4.15%. Eaton received proceeds totaling $4,853 from the issuance, net of financing costs and nominal discounts. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsubordinated, unsecured basis by Eaton and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Senior Notes contain an optional redemption provision by which the Company may make an offer to purchase all or any part of the Senior Notes at a purchase price of the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the respective Senior Notes being redeemed, or (b) the sum of the present values of the respective remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis, plus basis points ranging from 10 to 25 based on the respective Senior Note tranche. The Senior Notes also contain a change of control provision which requires the Company to make an offer to purchase all or any part of the Senior Notes at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Related capitalized deferred financing fees total $40. The capitalized deferred financing fees and nominal discounts are amortized in Interest expense - net over the respective terms of the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are subject to customary non-financial covenants. See Note 15 for additional information about the Senior Notes.
	On November 30, 2012, the closing date of the acquisition of Cooper, Eaton borrowed $1,669 on a $6.75 billion, 364-day bridge facility (the Facility) which was obtained on May 21, 2012. The Facility was obtained to finance a portion of the cash paid to acquire Cooper and was available in a single draw on the closing date of the acquisition. Related deferred financing fees totaled $69, of which $68 were amortized in Interest expense - net as of December 31, 2012. On February 1, 2013, Eaton repaid the outstanding balance on the Facility.
	As is customary to support its U.S. operations, the Company had available lines of credit of $340 from various banks for the issuance of letters of credit, of which there was $155 outstanding at December 31, 2014. Operations outside the United States had available short-term lines of credit of $2,089 from various banks worldwide at December 31, 2014. Borrowings outside the United States are generally denominated in local currencies.
	Eaton is in compliance with each of its debt covenants for all periods presented. Eaton Corporation and Cooper each issued guarantees on November 30, 2012 and January 8, 2013, respectively, on all material outstanding debt of the other.
	Mandatory maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years follow:
	2015	$	1,008
	2016	242
	2017	1,548
	2018	570
	2019	339
	Interest paid on debt follows:
	2014	$	296
	2013	294
	2012	237

Retirement_Benefits_Plans

Retirement Benefits Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
RETIREMENT BENEFITS PLANS	RETIREMENT BENEFITS PLANS
	Eaton has defined benefits pension plans and other postretirement benefits plans.
	Obligations and Funded Status
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Funded status
	Fair value of plan assets	$	3,086			$	2,940			$	1,535		$	1,432			$	116		$	138
	Benefit obligations	(4,047		)		(3,625		)		(2,337		)	(2,127		)		(676		)	(867		)
	Funded status	$	(961	)		$	(685	)		$	(802	)	$	(695	)		$	(560	)	$	(729	)
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated
	Balance Sheets
	Non-current assets	$	14			$	44			$	77		$	86			$	—		$	—
	Current liabilities	(16		)		(15		)		(26		)	(30		)		(47		)	(61		)
	Non-current liabilities	(959		)		(714		)		(853		)	(751		)		(513		)	(668		)
	Total	$	(961	)		$	(685	)		$	(802	)	$	(695	)		$	(560	)	$	(729	)
	Amounts recognized in Accumulated other
	comprehensive loss (pretax)
	Net actuarial loss	$	1,377			$	1,051			$	695		$	515			$	176		$	190
	Prior service cost (credit)	5				3				11			13				(86		)	(6		)
	Total	$	1,382			$	1,054			$	706		$	528			$	90		$	184
	Change in Benefit Obligations
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	3,625			$	3,817			$	2,127		$	2,017			$	867		$	950
	Service cost	117				128				66			62				13			20
	Interest cost	162				147				85			80				32			35
	Actuarial loss (gain)	470				(223		)		355			21				(36		)	(54		)
	Gross benefits paid	(329		)		(246		)		(106		)	(90		)		(91		)	(103		)
	Currency translation	—				—				(190		)	36				(4		)	(2		)
	Plan amendments	2				2				—			4				(84		)	—
	Other	—				—				—			(3		)		(21		)	21
	Balance at December 31	$	4,047			$	3,625			$	2,337		$	2,127			$	676		$	867
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	3,894			$	3,458			$	2,181		$	2,003
	Change in Plan Assets
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	2,940			$	2,607			$	1,432		$	1,248			$	138		$	146
	Actual return on plan assets	226				383				191			118				4			15
	Employer contributions	248				196				114			145				40			59
	Gross benefits paid	(329		)		(246		)		(106		)	(90		)		(91		)	(103		)
	Currency translation	—				—				(96		)	15				—			—
	Other	1				—				—			(4		)		25			21
	Balance at December 31	$	3,086			$	2,940			$	1,535		$	1,432			$	116		$	138
	The components of pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31 follow:
		United States								Non-United States
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Projected benefit obligation	$	3,557			$	3,166			$	1,524		$	1,411
	Accumulated benefit obligation	3,403				2,999				1,446			1,349
	Fair value of plan assets	2,581				2,437				673			635
	Changes in pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	1,054			$	1,621			$	528		$	559			$	184		$	262
	Prior service cost arising during the year	2				2				—			4				(84		)	—
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year	490				(381		)		262			(12		)		(34		)	(63		)
	Currency translation	—				—				(55		)	6				(1		)	(1		)
	Less amounts included in expense during the year	(164		)		(186		)		(29		)	(29		)		25			(14		)
	Other	—				(2		)		—			—				—			—
	Net change for the year	328				(567		)		178			(31		)		(94		)	(78		)
Balance at December 31	$	1,382			$	1,054			$	706		$	528			$	90		$	184
Benefits Expense
	United States											Non-United States										Other postretirement
	pension benefit expense											pension benefit expense										benefits expense
	2014				2013				2012			2014				2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Service cost	$	117			$	128			$	115		$	66			$	62		$	50		$	13		$	20		$	17
Interest cost	162				147				134			85				80			77			32			35			38
Expected return on plan assets	(246		)		(226		)		(183		)	(98		)		(85		)	(77		)	(6		)	(6		)	(6		)
Amortization	93				133				118			27				27			15			6			14			13
	126				182				184			80				84			65			45			63			62
Settlements, curtailments	71				53				20			2				2			4			(31		)	—			—
and other
Total expense	$	197			$	235			$	204		$	82			$	86		$	69		$	14		$	63		$	62
The estimated pretax net amounts that will be recognized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in 2015 follow:
	United States				Non-United States				Other postretirement
	pension liabilities				pension liabilities				liabilities
Actuarial loss	$	168			$	39			$	15
Prior service cost (credit)	1				1				(14		)
Total	$	169			$	40			$	1
Retirement Benefits Plans Assumptions
For purposes of determining liabilities related to pension plans and other postretirement benefits plans in the United States, the Company updated its mortality assumption in 2014 to use the RP-2014 tables with a generational improvement scale based on MP-2014.
Pension Plans
	United States									Non-United States
	pension plans									pension plans
	2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end
Discount rate	3.97	%		4.67	%		3.97	%		3.33	%	4.2	%		4.17	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.16	%		3.16	%		3.16	%		3.13	%	3.12	%		3.09	%
Assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate	4.67	%		3.97	%		4.7	%		4.2	%	4.17	%		5.12	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	8.4	%		8.45	%		8.5	%		7	%	6.92	%		7.1	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.16	%		3.16	%		3.15	%		3.12	%	3.09	%		3.62	%
The expected long-term rate of return on pension assets was determined for each country and reflects long-term historical data taking into account each plan's target asset allocation. The discount rate was determined using appropriate bond data for each country.
Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Substantially all of the obligation for other postretirement benefits plans relates to United States plans. Assumptions used to determine other postretirement benefits obligations and expense follow:
	Other postretirement
	benefits plans
	2014			2013			2012
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end
Discount rate	3.79	%		4.48	%		3.79	%
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	6.31	%		6.64	%		6.96	%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.77	%		4.77	%		4.53	%
Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved	2024			2023			2022
Assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate	4.48	%		3.79	%		4.6	%
Initial health care cost trend rate	6.64	%		6.96	%		7.6	%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.77	%		4.53	%		4.5	%
Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved	2023			2022			2020
Assumed health care cost trend rates may have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A 1-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
	1% increase				1% decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost	$	1			$	(1	)
Effect on other postretirement liabilities	20				(18		)
Employer Contributions to Retirement Benefits Plans
Contributions to pension plans that Eaton expects to make in 2015, and made in 2014, 2013 and 2012, follow:
	2015				2014				2013			2012
United States plans	$	217			$	248			$	196		$	311
Non-United States plans	109				114				145			102
Total contributions	$	326			$	362			$	341		$	413
The following table provides the estimated pension and other postretirement benefit payments for each of the next five years, and the five years thereafter in the aggregate. For other postretirement benefits liabilities, the expected subsidy receipts related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, would reduce the gross payments listed below.
	Estimated				Estimated				Estimated other postretirement
	United States				non-United States				benefit payments
	pension payments				pension payments				Gross			Medicare prescription
												drug subsidy
2015	$	268			$	92			$	75		$	(6	)
2016	281				92				71			(6		)
2017	285				94				67			(6		)
2018	289				98				62			(5		)
2019	297				99				56			(4		)
2020 - 2024	1,544				542				226			(13		)
Pension Plan Assets
Investment policies and strategies are developed on a country specific basis. The United States plans, representing 67% of worldwide pension assets, and the United Kingdom plans representing 27% of worldwide pension assets, are invested primarily for growth, as the majority of the assets are in plans with active participants and ongoing accruals. In general, the plans have their primary allocation to diversified, global equities, primarily through index funds in the form of common collective trusts. The United States plans' target allocation is 32% United States equities, 32% non-United States equities, 8% real estate (primarily equity of real estate investment trusts), 24% debt securities and 4% other, including hedge funds and cash equivalents. The United Kingdom plans' target asset allocations are 57% equities and the remainder in debt securities and real estate investments. The equity risk for the plans is managed through broad geographic diversification and diversification across industries and levels of market capitalization. The majority of debt allocations for these plans are longer duration government and corporate debt. The United States, United Kingdom and Canada pension plans are authorized to use derivatives to achieve more economically desired market exposures and to use futures, swaps and options to gain or hedge exposures.
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Assets
The Voluntary Employee Benefit Association trust which holds U.S. other postretirement benefits plan assets has investment guidelines that include allocations to global equities and fixed income investments. The trust's target investment allocation is 50% diversified global equities and 50% fixed income securities. The fixed income securities are primarily comprised of intermediate term, high quality, dollar denominated, fixed income instruments. The equity allocation is invested in a diversified global equity index fund in the form of a collective trust.
Fair Value Measurements
Financial instruments included in pension and other postretirement benefits plan assets are categorized into a fair value hierarchy of three levels, based on the degree of subjectivity inherent in the valuation methodology as follows:
Level 1 -	Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets in active markets.
Level 2 -	Quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 -	Unobservable prices or inputs.
Pension Plans
A summary of the fair value of pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, follows:
	Total				Quoted prices				Other			Unobservable
					in active				observable			inputs
					markets for				inputs			(Level 3)
					identical assets				(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
2014
Common collective trusts
Non-United States equity and global equities	$	1,458			$	—			$	1,458		$	—
United States equity	1,005				—				1,005			—
Fixed income	646				—				646			—
Exchange traded funds	138				—				138			—
Fixed income securities	398				—				398			—
United States treasuries	106				106				—			—
Bank loans	128				—				128			—
Real estate securities	263				257				—			6
Equity securities	92				92				—			—
Cash equivalents	218				8				210			—
Hedge funds	54				—				—			54
Exchange traded funds	50				50				—			—
Other	65				—				5			60
Total pension plan assets	$	4,621			$	513			$	3,988		$	120
2013
Common collective trusts
Non-United States equity and global equities	$	1,453			$	—			$	1,453		$	—
United States equity	1,153				—				1,153			—
Fixed income	672				—				672			—
Exchange traded funds	64				—				64			—
Fixed income securities	274				—				274			—
United States treasuries	63				63				—			—
Real estate securities	220				214				—			6
Equity securities	141				141				—			—
Cash equivalents	187				6				181			—
Exchange traded funds	47				47				—			—
Other	98				—				4			94
Total pension plan assets	$	4,372			$	471			$	3,801		$	100
Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
A summary of the fair value of other postretirement benefits plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, follows:
	Total				Quoted prices				Other			Unobservable
					in active				observable			inputs
					markets for				inputs			(Level 3)
					identical assets				(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
2014
Common collective trusts
Global equities	$	54			$	—			$	54		$	—
Fixed income securities	24				—				24			—
United States treasuries	37				37				—			—
Cash equivalents	1				1				—			—
Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	$	116			$	38			$	78		$	—
2013
Common collective trusts
Global equities	$	70			$	—			$	70		$	—
Fixed income securities	29				—				29			—
United States treasuries	38				38				—			—
Cash equivalents	1				1				—			—
Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	$	138			$	39			$	99		$	—
Valuation Methodologies
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for pension and other postretirement benefits plan assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Common collective trusts - Valued at the net unit value of units held by the trust at year end. The unit value is determined by the total value of fund assets divided by the total number of units of the fund owned. The equity investments in collective trusts are predominantly in index funds for which the underlying securities are actively traded in public markets based upon readily measurable prices.
Fixed income securities - These securities consist of publicly traded United States and non-United States fixed interest obligations (principally corporate and government bonds and debentures). The fair value of corporate and government debt securities is determined through third-party pricing models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curves, credit ratings, and current market prices. The Company verifies the results of trustees or custodians and evaluates the pricing classification of these securities by performing analyses using other third-party sources.
United States treasuries - Valued at the closing price of each security.
Bank loans - These securities consist of senior secured term loans of publicly traded and privately held United States and non-United States floating rate obligations (principally corporations of non-investment grade rating). The fair value is determined through third-party pricing models that primarily utilize dealer quoted current market prices. The Company verifies the results of trustees or custodians and evaluates the pricing classification of these securities by performing analyses using other third-party sources.
Real estate and equity securities - These securities consist of direct investments in the stock of publicly traded companies. Such investments are valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the individual securities are traded. As such, the direct investments are classified as Level 1.
Cash equivalents - Primarily certificates of deposit, commercial paper, money market funds and repurchase agreements.
Hedge funds - Consists of direct investments in hedge funds through limited partnership interests. Values are based on the estimated fair value of the ownership interest in the investment as determined by the General Partner.
Exchange traded funds - Valued at the closing price of the exchange traded fund's shares.
Other - Primarily insurance contracts for international plans and also futures contracts and over-the-counter options. These investments are valued based on the closing prices of future contracts or indices as available on Bloomberg or similar service, and private equity investments.
For additional information regarding fair value measurements, see Note 11.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company has various defined contribution benefit plans, primarily consisting of the plans in the United States. The total contributions related to these plans are charged to expense and were as follows:
2014	$	141
2013	121
2012	74

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Contingencies
	Eaton is subject to a broad range of claims, administrative and legal proceedings such as lawsuits that relate to contractual allegations, tax audits, patent infringement, personal injuries, antitrust matters, and employment-related matters. Eaton is also subject to asbestos claims from historic products which may have contained asbestos. Historically, significant insurance coverage has been available to cover costs associated with these claims. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome or cost of these matters, the Company believes they will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.
	In December 2010, a Brazilian court held that a judgment obtained by a Brazilian company, Raysul, against another Brazilian company, Saturnia, which was sold by Eaton in 2006, could be enforced against Eaton Ltda. This judgment is based on an alleged violation of an agency agreement between Raysul and Saturnia. At December 31, 2014, the Company has a total accrual of 83 Brazilian Reais related to this matter ($31 based on current exchange rates), comprised of 60 Brazilian Reais recognized in the fourth quarter of 2010 ($23 based on current exchange rates) with an additional 23 Brazilian Reais recognized through December 31, 2014 ($8 based on current exchange rates). In 2010, Eaton filed motions for clarification with the Brazilian court of appeals which were denied on April 6, 2011. Eaton Holding and Eaton Ltda. filed appeals on various issues to the Superior Court of Justice in Brasilia. In April 2013, the Superior Court of Justice ruled in favor of Raysul. Additional motions for clarification were filed with the Superior Court of Justice in Brasilia and were again denied in 2014. A final appeal to the Superior Court will likely be filed in the first quarter of 2015. The Company expects that any sum it may be required to pay in connection with this matter will not exceed the amount of the recorded liability.
	On October 5, 2006, ZF Meritor LLC and Meritor Transmission Corporation (collectively, Meritor) filed an action against Eaton in the United States District Court for Delaware. The action sought damages, which would be trebled under United States antitrust laws, as well as injunctive relief and costs. The suit alleged that Eaton engaged in anti-competitive conduct against Meritor in the sale of heavy-duty truck transmissions in North America. On June 23, 2014, Eaton announced it signed a settlement agreement with Meritor in the amount of $500 that resolved the lawsuit and removed the uncertainty of a trial and appeal process. On July 16, 2014, Eaton paid Meritor the $500.
	Frisby Corporation, now known as Triumph Actuation Systems, LLC, and other claimants (collectively, Triumph) asserted claims alleging, among other things, unfair competition, defamation, malicious prosecution, deprivation of civil rights, and antitrust in the Hinds County Circuit Court of Mississippi in 2004 and in the Federal District Court of North Carolina in 2011. Eaton had asserted claims against Triumph regarding improper use of trade secrets and these claims were dismissed by the Hinds County Circuit Court. On June 18, 2014, Eaton announced it signed a settlement agreement with Triumph in the amount of $147.5 that resolved all claims and lawsuits and removed the uncertainty of a trial and appeal process. On July 8, 2014, Eaton paid Triumph the $147.5.
	Environmental Contingencies
	Eaton has established policies to ensure that its operations are conducted in keeping with good corporate citizenship and with a positive commitment to the protection of the natural and workplace environments. The Company's manufacturing facilities are required to be certified to ISO 14001, an international standard for environmental management systems. The Company routinely reviews EHS performance at each of its facilities and continuously strives to improve pollution prevention.
	Eaton is involved in remedial response and voluntary environmental remediation at a number of sites, including certain of its currently-owned or formerly-owned plants. The Company has also been named a potentially responsible party under the United States federal Superfund law, or the state equivalents thereof, at a number of disposal sites. The Company became involved in these sites as a result of government action or in connection with business acquisitions. At the end of 2014, the Company was involved with a total of 150 sites worldwide, including the Superfund sites mentioned above, with none of these sites being individually significant to the Company.
	Remediation activities, generally involving soil and/or groundwater contamination, include pre-cleanup activities such as fact finding and investigation, risk assessment, feasibility study, design and action planning, performance (where actions may range from monitoring, to removal of contaminants, to installation of longer-term remediation systems), and operation and maintenance of a remediation system. The extent of expected remediation activities and costs varies by site. A number of factors affect the cost of environmental remediation, including the number of parties involved at a particular site, the determination of the extent of contamination, the length of time the remediation may require, the complexity of environmental regulations, and the continuing advancement of remediation technology. Taking these factors into account, Eaton has estimated the costs of remediation, which will be paid over a period of years. The Company accrues an amount on an undiscounted basis, consistent with the estimates of these costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred. Actual results may differ from these estimates. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had an accrual totaling $140 and $149, respectively, for these costs.
	Based upon Eaton's analysis and subject to the difficulty in estimating these future costs, the Company expects that any sum it may be required to pay in connection with environmental matters is not reasonably possible to exceed the recorded liability by an amount that would have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Warranty Accruals
	A summary of the current and long-term warranty accruals follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	189		$	185		$	158
	Provision	125			107			85
	Settled	(120		)	(99		)	(84		)
	Other	19			(4		)	26
	Balance at December 31	$	213		$	189		$	185
	At December 31, 2012, amounts related to the acquisition of Cooper included in Other total $24. For additional information about acquisitions of businesses, see Note 2.
	Lease Commitments
	Eaton leases certain real properties and equipment. A summary of minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2014 under noncancelable operating leases, which expire at various dates and in most cases contain renewal options, for each of the next five years and thereafter in the aggregate, follow:
	2015	$	153
	2016	115
	2017	83
	2018	59
	2019	34
	Thereafter	60
	Total noncancelable lease commitments	$	504
	A summary of rental expense follows:
	2014	$	244
	2013	241
	2012	199

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES
	Eaton Corporation plc is domiciled in Ireland. Income (loss) before income taxes and income tax (benefit) expense are summarized below based on the geographic location of the operation to which such earnings and income taxes are attributable. Certain Eaton operations which are located outside the United States are subject to income tax in both the United States as well as the country in which the operations are located. As a result, income before tax by location and the components of income tax expense by taxing jurisdiction are not directly related. For purposes of this note, Puerto Rico is classified in Foreign - other since Puerto Rico is not part of the United States corporate tax system.
		Income (loss) before income taxes
		2014				2013				2012
	Ireland	$	(332	)		$	184			$	—
	Foreign	2,093				1,700				1,251
	Total income before income taxes	$	1,761			$	1,884			$	1,251
		Income tax (benefit) expense
		2014				2013				2012
	Current
	Ireland	$	(13	)		$	17			$	—
	United States
	Federal	87				89				1
	State and local	41				7				5
	Foreign - other	239				244				130
	Total current income tax expense	354				357				136
	Deferred
	Ireland	2				—				—
	United States
	Federal	(224		)		(295		)		39
	State and local	(49		)		(23		)		2
	Foreign - other	(125		)		(28		)		(146		)
	Total deferred income tax benefit	(396		)		(346		)		(105		)
	Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	(42	)		$	11			$	31
	Reconciliations of income taxes from the Ireland national statutory rate of 25% in 2014 and 2013, and the United States federal statutory rate of 35% in 2012, to the consolidated effective income tax rate follow:
		2014			2013			2012
	Income taxes at the applicable statutory rate	25	%		25	%		35	%
	Ireland operations
	Ireland tax on trading income	(0.1	)%		(1.4	)%		—	%
	Nondeductible interest expense	4.8	%		—	%		—	%
	United States operations
	United States (loss) income	(2.8	)%		(2.8	)%		—	%
	Nondeductible goodwill - Aerospace divestitures	1.4	%		—	%		—	%
	Credit for research activities	(1.0	)%		(2.0	)%		—	%
	Other - net	1.5	%		1.3	%		1.8	%
	Other foreign operations
	United States foreign tax credit	(1.1	)%		(1.8	)%		(12.4	)%
	Other foreign operations (earnings taxed at other than	(24.8	)%		(17.6	)%		(14.9	)%
	the applicable statutory tax rate)
	Other foreign operations - other items	(1.0	)%		0.2	%		—	%
	Worldwide operations
	Adjustments to tax liabilities	(1.7	)%		(1.1	)%		(5.7	)%
	Adjustments to valuation allowances	(2.6	)%		0.8	%		(1.3	)%
	Effective income tax (benefit) expense rate	(2.4	)%		0.6	%		2.5	%
	During 2014, an income tax benefit of $42 was recognized (an effective tax benefit rate of 2.4%) compared to income tax expense of $11 for 2013 (an effective tax expense rate of 0.6%) and $31 for 2012 (an effective tax expense rate of 2.5%). The lower tax rate in 2014 was primarily attributable to the net tax benefit of 7.6% for the Meritor and Triumph litigation settlements and related legal costs and the gain on the sale of the Aerospace businesses, all of which occurred in the second quarter of 2014. Excluding the previously mentioned litigation settlements and gain on the sale of businesses, the 2014 income tax rate increased from 2013 due to greater levels of income in higher tax jurisdictions and net increases in worldwide tax liabilities, partially offset by additional foreign tax credit recognition in the United States and recognition of deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions. The lower effective tax rate for 2013, compared to 2012, was primarily attributable to the effects associated with the acquisition of Cooper, along with greater levels of income in lower tax jurisdictions, additional foreign tax credit utilization, and the benefit of two years of the U.S. research and experimentation tax credit due to the extension of the credit in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the Act) as signed into law in January 2013. The Act extended certain tax benefits retroactively to January 1, 2012.
	See Note 7 and Note 2 and for additional information about litigation settlements and sales of businesses, respectively.
	No provision has been made for income taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries of approximately $12.5 billion at December 31, 2014, since it is the Company's intention to indefinitely reinvest undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries. It is not practicable to estimate the additional income taxes and applicable withholding taxes that would be payable on the remittance of such undistributed earnings.
	The Company expects to deploy capital to those markets which offer particularly attractive growth opportunities. Given expected population growth and economic growth rates, most of the particularly attractive markets are outside of the United States. The cash that is permanently reinvested is typically used to expand these operations either organically or through acquisitions. Beginning in 2013, the Company's public dividends are funded by the Ireland parent primarily from Non-U.S. operations. The Company's United States operations are expected to generate cash flow sufficient to satisfy United States operating requirements and service its debt.
	Worldwide income tax payments follow:
	2014	$	258
	2013	272
	2012	254
	Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
	Components of current and long-term deferred income taxes follow:
		2014								2013
		Current				Long-term				Current			Long-term
		assets and				assets and				assets and			assets and
		liabilities				liabilities				liabilities			liabilities
	Accruals and other adjustments
	Employee benefits	$	148			$	773			$	116		$	657
	Depreciation and amortization	—				(2,010		)		(2		)	(2,294		)
	Other accruals and adjustments	476				282				497			368
	United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	—				58				—			—
	United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	—				150				—			161
United States state and local tax loss carryforwards and	—				76				—			73
tax credit carryforwards
Other foreign tax loss carryforwards	—				2,112				—			1,708
Other foreign income tax credit carryforwards	—				49				—			63
Valuation allowance for income tax loss and income tax	(24		)		(2,134		)		—			(1,738		)
credit carryforwards
Other valuation allowances	(7		)		(29		)		(34		)	(71		)
Total deferred income taxes	$	593			$	(673	)		$	577		$	(1,073	)
In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (ASU 2013-11). ASU 2013-11 requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions except where the deferred tax asset or other carryforward are not available for use. The adoption of this standard resulted in a reduction of the Company’s consolidated long term deferred tax assets by $146 in 2014.
At the end of 2014, United States federal income tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards are available to reduce future United States federal income tax liabilities. These carryforwards and their respective expiration dates are summarized below:
	2015				2020				2025			2030			2035		Not
	through				through				through			through			through		subject to			Valuation
	2019				2024				2029			2034			2039		expiration			allowance
United States federal income tax loss	$	—			$	—			$	31		$	4		$	352	$	—		$	—
carryforwards
United States federal deferred income tax	—				—				11			1			101		—			(12		)
assets for income tax loss carryforwards
United States federal deferred income tax	—				—				11			1			46		—			(12		)
assets for income tax loss carryforwards
after ASU 2013-11
United States federal income tax credit	—				64				38			86			21		32			(69		)
carryforwards
United States federal income tax credit	—				64				37			28			21		—			(69		)
carryforwards after ASU 2013-11
United States state and local tax loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards with a future tax benefit are also available at the end of 2014. The deferred tax assets for these carryforwards and their respective expiration dates are summarized below:
	2015				2020				2025			2030			2035		Not
	through				through				through			through			through		subject to			Valuation
	2019				2024				2029			2034			2039		expiration			allowance
United States state and local deferred	$	6			$	18			$	12		$	8		$	—	$	—		$	(18	)
income tax assets for income tax loss
carryforwards - net of federal tax effect
United States state and local income tax	10				9				6			2			5		—			(18		)
credit carryforwards - net of federal
tax effect
At December 31, 2014, certain non-United States subsidiaries had tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards that are available to offset future taxable income. These carryforwards and their respective expiration dates are summarized below:
	2015				2020				2025			2030			Not
	through				through				through			through			subject to		Valuation
	2019				2024				2029			2034			expiration		allowance
Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	$	135			$	165			$	38		$	18		$	9,290	$	—
Non-United States deferred income tax assets for	35				41				9			5			2,022		(2,033		)
income tax loss carryforwards
Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	3				14				24			—			7		(8		)
Recoverability of Deferred Income Tax Assets
Eaton is subject to the income tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it operates. In order to determine its income tax provision for financial statement purposes, Eaton must make significant estimates and judgments about its business operations in these jurisdictions. These estimates and judgments are also used in determining the deferred income tax assets and liabilities that have been recognized for differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities, and income tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards.
Management evaluates the realizability of deferred income tax assets for each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. If the Company experiences cumulative pretax income in a particular jurisdiction in the three-year period including the current and prior two years, management normally concludes that the deferred income tax assets will more likely than not be realizable and no valuation allowance is recognized, unless known or planned operating developments would lead management to conclude otherwise. However, if the Company experiences cumulative pretax losses in a particular jurisdiction in the three-year period including the current and prior two years, management then considers a series of factors in the determination of whether the deferred income tax assets can be realized. These factors include historical operating results, known or planned operating developments, the period of time over which certain temporary differences will reverse, consideration of the utilization of certain deferred income tax liabilities, tax law carryback capability in the particular country, prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, and estimates of future earnings and taxable income using the same assumptions as those used for the Company's goodwill and other impairment testing. After evaluation of these factors, if the deferred income tax assets are expected to be realized within the tax carryforward period allowed for that specific country, management would conclude that no valuation allowance would be required. To the extent that the deferred income tax assets exceed the amount that is expected to be realized within the tax carryforward period for a particular jurisdiction, management would establish a valuation allowance.
Applying the above methodology, valuation allowances have been established for certain deferred income tax assets to the extent they are not expected to be realized within the particular tax carryforward period.
Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
A summary of gross unrecognized income tax benefits follows:
	2014				2013				2012
Balance at January 1	$	479			$	444			$	236
Increases and decreases as a result of positions taken during prior years
Transfers from valuation allowances	(3		)		13				—
Other increases	37				7				1
Other decreases, including currency translation	(3		)		(7		)		—
Balances related to acquired businesses	(3		)		2				177
Increases as a result of positions taken during the current year	65				35				36
Decreases relating to settlements with tax authorities	(51		)		(6		)		—
Decreases as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	(28		)		(9		)		(6		)
Balance at December 31	$	493			$	479			$	444
Eaton's long-term policy has been to enter into tax planning strategies only if it is more likely than not that the benefit would be sustained upon audit. For example, the Company does not enter into any of the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Listed Transactions as set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.6011-4.
If all unrecognized tax benefits were recognized, the net impact on the provision for income tax expense would be $371.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Eaton had accrued approximately $120 and $114, respectively, for the payment of worldwide interest and penalties, which are not included in the table of unrecognized income tax benefits above. Eaton recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in the provision for income tax expense. The Company has accrued penalties in jurisdictions where they are automatically applied to any deficiency, regardless of the merit of the position.
The resolution of the majority of Eaton's unrecognized income tax benefits is dependent upon uncontrollable factors such as the prospect of retroactive regulations; new case law; the willingness of the income tax authority to settle the issue, including the timing thereof; and other factors. Therefore, for the majority of unrecognized income tax benefits, it is not reasonably possible to estimate the increase or decrease in the next 12 months. For each of the unrecognized income tax benefits where it is possible to estimate the increase or decrease in the balance within the next 12 months, the Company does not anticipate any significant change.
Eaton or its subsidiaries file income tax returns in Ireland and many countries around the world. The IRS has completed its examination of Eaton Corporation and Includible Subsidiaries United States income tax returns for 2007 through 2010 and has issued a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (Notice) as discussed below. The statute of limitations on these tax years remains open to the extent of the tax assessment until the matter is resolved. Tax years 2011 through 2014 are still subject to examination by the IRS.
With respect to the pre-acquisition years of BZ Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries (the former U.S. holding company for Cooper Industries), the IRS examination of the United States income tax returns for 2010, 2011, and the period ended December 21, 2012 was completed and settled without significant effect on the consolidated financial statements. The statute of limitations remains open for tax years 2010 and 2011 until September 15, 2015. The statute of limitations on the final return period ended December 21, 2012 remains open until September 15, 2016. On December 22, 2012, BZ Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries joined the Eaton Corporation and Includible Subsidiaries consolidated United States income tax return for 2012.
Eaton is also under examination for the income tax filings in various states of the United States and in many other foreign jurisdictions. With only a few exceptions, Eaton Corporation and Includible Subsidiaries are no longer subject to income tax examinations from states and localities within the United States for years before 2010. Income tax returns of states and localities within the United States will be reopened to the extent of United States federal income tax adjustments, if any, going back to 2005 when those audit years are finalized. Some states and localities may not limit their assessment to the United States federal adjustments, and may require the opening of the entire tax year. In addition, with only a few exceptions, Cooper Industries and Includible Subsidiaries are no longer subject to United States state and local income tax examinations for years before 2010. With only a few exceptions, the other foreign subsidiaries of both Eaton and Cooper are no longer subject to examinations for years before 2009.
At the end of the fourth quarter of 2011, the IRS issued a Notice for Eaton Corporation and Includible Subsidiaries 2005 and 2006 tax years (the 2011 Notice). The Notice proposed assessments of $75 in additional taxes plus $52 in penalties related primarily to transfer pricing adjustments for products manufactured in the Company's facilities in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and sold to affiliated companies located in the U.S., net of agreed credits and deductions. The Company has set its transfer prices for products sold between these affiliates at the same prices that the Company sells such products to third parties as required by two successive Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) the Company entered into with the IRS. For the years 2001 through 2004, the IRS had previously accepted the transfer pricing methodology related to these APAs after a comprehensive review conducted in two separate audit cycles. On December 16, 2011, immediately prior to the 2011 Notice being issued, the IRS sent a letter stating that it was retrospectively canceling the APAs, even though their respective APA terms had already expired.
The Company is contesting the proposed assessments. The Company believes that it was in full compliance with the terms of the two APAs, and that the IRS's cancellation of these two APAs is without merit. On February 29, 2012, the Company filed a Petition with the U.S. Tax Court in which it asserted that the transfer pricing established in the APAs meets the arms-length standard set by the U.S. income tax laws, and accordingly, that the APAs should be enforced in accordance with their terms. The case involves both whether the APAs should be enforced and, if not, the appropriate transfer pricing methodology. The U.S. Tax Court has established that the trial for this matter will begin in June 2015.
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company received a Notice from the IRS for the 2007 through 2010 tax years (the 2014 Notice) proposing assessments of $190 in additional taxes plus $72 in penalties, net of agreed credits and deductions. The proposed assessments pertain primarily to the same transfer pricing issues that are currently in litigation for the 2011 Notice, as noted above. During 2007 through 2010, the Company set its transfer prices for products sold between these affiliates consistent with the terms of a written APA between it and the IRS that covered the years at issue. To establish the relevant transfer prices, the APA relied on prices at which the Company sells the products to third parties. The 2014 Notice includes a separate proposed assessment involving the recognition of income for several of the Company’s controlled foreign corporations. The Company believes that these proposed assessments are without merit. On November 25, 2014, the Company filed a Petition with the U.S. Tax Court in which it challenged the IRS's adjustments. The Company expects the outcome of the 2014 Notice on the transfer pricing matter to be determined by the judicial decision related to the 2011 Notice. The Company has continued to apply the arms-length transfer pricing methodology for 2011 through 2014.
Also during the third quarter of 2014, the Company resolved an uncertain tax position with a European government. The resolution had minimal impact on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
During 2010, the Company received a tax assessment of $64, plus interest and penalties, in Brazil for the tax years 2005 through 2008 that relates to the amortization of certain goodwill generated from the acquisition of third-party businesses and corporate reorganizations. The Company is contesting the assessment, which is under review at the second of three administrative appeals levels. During 2013, the Brazilian tax authorities began an audit of tax years 2009 through 2012. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company received a tax assessment of $50, plus interest and penalties, for the 2009 through 2012 tax years (primarily relating to the same issues concerning the 2005 through 2008 tax years), which the Company is also contesting and is under review in the administrative appeals process. Multiple outside advisors have stated that Brazilian tax authorities are raising the issue for most clients with similar facts and that the matter is expected to require at least 10 years to resolve. The Company continues to believe that final resolution of the assessments will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Eaton_Shareholders_Equity

Eaton Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Eaton Shareholders' Equity [Text Block]	EATON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	There are 750 million Eaton ordinary shares authorized ($0.01 par value per share), 467.9 million and 475.1 million of which were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Eaton's Memorandum and Articles of Association authorized 40 thousand deferred ordinary shares (€1.00 par value per share) and 10 thousand preferred A shares ($1.00 par value per share), all of which were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and 10 million serial preferred shares ($0.01 par value per share), none of which is outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013. At December 31, 2014, there were 18,993 holders of record of Eaton ordinary shares. Additionally, 26,059 current and former employees were shareholders through participation in the Eaton Savings Plan, Eaton Personal Investment Plan, Eaton Puerto Rico Retirement Savings Plan, and the Cooper Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan.
	On September 28, 2011, Eaton Corporation's Board of Directors adopted a common share repurchase program (2011 Program) which authorized the purchase of up to 20 million common shares, not to exceed an aggregate purchase price of $1.25 billion. During 2012, no common shares were repurchased under the 2011 Program. On April 24, 2013, the Company's shareholders authorized the Board of Directors to adopt an ordinary share repurchase program (2013 Program) for up to 40 million ordinary shares at prices between 70% and 120% of the closing price of Eaton's ordinary shares on the day of purchase. On October 22, 2013, Eaton's Board of Directors adopted the 2013 Program. The ordinary shares are expected to be repurchased over time, depending on market conditions, the market price of ordinary shares, capital levels, and other considerations. During 2014, 9.6 million ordinary shares were repurchased under the 2013 Program in the open market at a total cost of $650. During 2013, no ordinary shares were repurchased under the 2013 Program.
	Eaton has deferral plans that permit certain employees and directors to defer a portion of their compensation. A trust contains $19 and $24 of ordinary shares and marketable securities, as valued at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to fund a portion of these liabilities. The marketable securities were included in Other assets and the ordinary shares were included in Shareholders' equity at historical cost.
	On February 25, 2015, Eaton's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per ordinary share, payable on March 20, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2015.
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) consists primarily of net income, currency translation and related hedging instruments, changes in unrecognized costs of pension and other postretirement benefits, and changes in the effective portion of open derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges. The following table summarizes the pre-tax and after-tax amounts recognized in Comprehensive income (loss):
		2014							2013						2012
		Pre-tax				After-tax			Pre-tax			After-tax			Pre-tax			After-tax
	Currency translation and related hedging instruments	$	(1,014	)		$	(1,019	)	$	(30	)	$	(28	)	$	144		$	135
	Pensions and other postretirement benefits
	Prior service credit (cost) arising during the year	82				51			(6		)	(4		)	(1		)	(1		)
	Net (loss) gain arising during the year	(718		)		(519		)	456			277			(386		)	(262		)
	Currency translation	56				47			(5		)	(4		)	(15		)	(12		)
	Other	—				(4		)	2			16			(2		)	15
	Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost	168				110			229			144			170			108
	reclassified to earnings
		(412		)		(315		)	676			429			(234		)	(152		)
	Cash flow hedges
	(Loss) gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	(3		)		(2		)	6			3			10			10
	Changes in cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings	(5		)		(3		)	—			—			7			7
	Cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustments	(8		)		(5		)	6			3			17			17
	Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton	$	(1,434	)		$	(1,339	)	$	652		$	404		$	(73	)	$	—
	ordinary shareholders
	The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:
		Currency translation and related hedging instruments				Pensions and other postretirement benefits			Cash flow			Total
									hedges
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(395	)		$	(1,170	)	$	5		$	(1,560	)
	Other comprehensive loss before	(1,019		)		(425		)	(2		)	(1,446		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other	—				110			(3		)	107
	comprehensive loss
	Net current-period Other comprehensive	(1,019		)		(315		)	(5		)	(1,339		)
	loss
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(1,414	)		$	(1,485	)	$	—		$	(2,899	)
	The reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:
			31-Dec-14				Consolidated Statements of
							Income classification
	Amortization of defined benefit pension and other
	postretirement benefits items
	Actuarial loss and prior service cost		$	(168	)		1
	Tax benefit		58
	Total, net of tax		(110		)
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps		(1		)		Interest expense - net
	Currency exchange contracts		6				Cost of products sold
			5
	Tax expense		(2		)
	Total, net of tax		3
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(107	)
	1 These components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 6 for additional information about defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits items.
	Net Income per Ordinary Share
	A summary of the calculation of net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders follows:
	(Shares in millions)	2014				2013			2012
	Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$	1,793			$	1,861		$	1,217
	Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - diluted	476.8				476.7			350.9
	Less dilutive effect of equity-based compensation	2.7				3.2			3.1
	Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic	474.1				473.5			347.8
	Net income per ordinary share
	Diluted	$	3.76			$	3.9		$	3.46
	Basic	3.78				3.93			3.54
	In 2014, 2013, and 2012, 0.5 million, 0.2 million, and 2.2 million stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per ordinary share because the exercise price of the options exceeded the average market price of the ordinary shares during the period and their effect, accordingly, would have been antidilutive.

EquityBased_Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Equity-Based Compensation	EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
	Restricted Stock Units and Awards
	Restricted stock units (RSUs) and restricted stock awards (RSAs) have been issued to certain employees and directors. Participants awarded RSUs do not receive dividends; therefore, the fair value is determined by reducing the closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the date of grant by the present value of the estimated dividends had they been paid. The RSUs entitle the holder to receive one ordinary share for each RSU upon vesting, generally over three or four years. The fair value of RSAs is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares at the date of grant. RSAs are issued and outstanding at the time of grant, but remain subject to forfeiture until vested, generally over three or four years. A summary of the RSU and RSA activity for 2014 follows:
	(Restricted stock units and awards in millions)	Number of restricted			Weighted-average fair
		stock units and awards			value per unit and award
	Non-vested at January 1	3.4			$	51.37
	Granted	1			71.54
	Vested	(1.4	)		47.69
	Forfeited	(0.2	)		59.01
	Non-vested at December 31	2.8			$	60.11
	Information related to RSUs and RSAs follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Pretax expense for RSUs and RSAs	$	81			$	69			$	46
	After-tax expense for RSUs and RSAs	53				45				30
	Fair value of vested RSUs and RSAs	105				82				126
	As of December 31, 2014, total compensation expense not yet recognized related to non-vested RSUs and RSAs was $93.9, and the weighted-average period in which the expense is expected to be recognized is 2.3 years. Excess tax benefit for equity-based compensation totaled $5, $10, and $18 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Stock Options
	Under various plans, stock options have been granted to certain employees and directors to purchase ordinary shares at prices equal to fair market value on the date of grant. Substantially all of these options vest ratably during the three-year period following the date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized for stock options based on the fair value of the options at the date of grant and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period the employee or director is required to provide service.
	The Company uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options. The principal assumptions utilized in valuing stock options include the expected stock price volatility (based on the most recent historical period equal to the expected life of the option); the expected option life (an estimate based on historical experience); the expected dividend yield; and the risk-free interest rate (an estimate based on the yield of United States Treasury zero coupon with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option). A summary of the assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock options follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Expected volatility	34		%		36		%		35		%
	Expected option life in years	5.5				5.5				5.5
	Expected dividend yield	2.4		%		2		%		2		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.7 to 1.5%				1.5 to 0.8%				1.0 to 0.9%
	Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$	19.46			$	17.49			$	14.08
	A summary of stock option activity follows:
	(Options in millions)	Weighted-average				Options			Weighted-average		Aggregate
		exercise price per option							remaining		intrinsic
									contractual life		value
									in years
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	$	43.43			7.9
	Granted	75.25				0.6
	Exercised	37.75				(1.5	)
	Forfeited and canceled	59.33				—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	47.3			7			4.3		$	148.9
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$	42.74			5.7			3.3		$	142.7
	Reserved for future grants at December 31, 2014					14.3
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total excess of the $67.96 closing price of Eaton ordinary shares on the last trading day of 2014 over the exercise price of the stock option, multiplied by the related number of options outstanding and exercisable. The aggregate intrinsic value is not recognized for financial accounting purposes and the value changes based on the daily changes in the fair market value of the Company's ordinary shares.
	Information related to stock options follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Pretax expense for stock options	$	12			$	11			$	7
	After-tax expense for stock options	8				7				5
	Proceeds from stock options exercised	54				121				95
	Income tax benefit related to stock options exercised
	Tax benefit classified in operating activities in the Consolidated	4				3				5
	Statements of Cash Flows
	Excess tax benefit classified in financing activities in the	15				22				13
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	55				102				60
	Total fair value of stock options vesting	$	12			$	11			$	7
	Stock options exercised, in millions of options	1.501				3.565				3.099
	As of December 31, 2014, total compensation expense not yet recognized related to non-vested stock options was $14, and the weighted-average period in which the expense is expected to be recognized is 1.8 years.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is measured based on an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to satisfy a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a fair value hierarchy is established, which categorizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
	A summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value, and the fair value measurements used, follows:
		Total			Quoted prices		Other			Unobservable
					in active		observable			inputs
					markets for		inputs			(Level 3)
					identical assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	2014
	Cash	$	781		$	781	$	—		$	—
	Short-term investments	245			245		—			—
	Net derivative contracts	70			—		70			—
	Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by	(74		)	—		(74		)	—
	interest rate swaps - net
	2013
	Cash	$	915		$	915	$	—		$	—
	Short-term investments	794			794		—			—
	Net derivative contracts	(35		)	—		(35		)	—
	Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by	39			—		39			—
	interest rate swaps - net
	Eaton values its financial instruments using an industry standard market approach, in which prices and other relevant information is generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. No financial instruments were recognized using unobservable inputs.
	Other Fair Value Measurements
	Long-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt had a carrying value of $9,032 and fair value of $9,509 at December 31, 2014 compared to $9,536 and $9,665, respectively, at December 31, 2013. The fair value of Eaton's debt instruments was estimated using prevailing market interest rates on debt with similar creditworthiness, terms and maturities and is considered a Level 2 fair value measurement.
	Short-Term Investments
	Eaton invests excess cash generated from operations in short-term marketable investments. For those investments classified as “available-for-sale”, Eaton marks these investments to fair value with the offset recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. A summary of the carrying value of short-term investments follows:
		2014			2013
	Time deposits, certificates of deposit and demand deposits with banks	$	113		$	279
	Money market investments	131			512
	Other	1			3
	Total short-term investments	$	245		$	794

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
	In the normal course of business, Eaton is exposed to certain risks related to fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices. The Company uses various derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, currency forward exchange contracts, currency swaps and, to a lesser extent, commodity contracts, to manage risks from these market fluctuations. The instruments used by Eaton are straightforward, non-leveraged instruments. The counterparties to these instruments are financial institutions with strong credit ratings. Eaton maintains control over the size of positions entered into with any one counterparty and regularly monitors the credit rating of these institutions. Such instruments are not purchased and sold for trading purposes.
	Derivative financial instruments are accounted for at fair value and recognized as assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounting for the gain or loss resulting from the change in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument depends on whether it has been designated, and is effective, as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, as to the nature of the hedging activity. Eaton formally documents all relationships between derivative financial instruments accounted for as designated hedges and the hedged item, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. This process includes linking derivative financial instruments to a recognized asset or liability, specific firm commitment, forecasted transaction, or net investment in a foreign operation. These financial instruments can be designated as:
	•	Hedges of the change in the fair value of a recognized fixed-rate asset or liability, or the firm commitment to acquire such an asset or liability (a fair value hedge); for these hedges, the gain or loss from the derivative financial instrument, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in income during the period of change in fair value.
	•	Hedges of the variable cash flows of a recognized variable-rate asset or liability, or the forecasted acquisition of such an asset or liability (a cash flow hedge); for these hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss from the derivative financial instrument is recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified to income in the same period when the gain or loss on the hedged item is included in income.
	•	Hedges of the currency exposure related to a net investment in a foreign operation (a net investment hedge); for these hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss from the derivative financial instrument is recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified to income in the same period when the gain or loss related to the net investment in the foreign operation is included in income.
	The gain or loss from a derivative financial instrument designated as a hedge that is effective is classified in the same line of the Consolidated Statements of Income as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item. The change in fair value of a derivative financial instrument that is not effective as a hedge is immediately recognized in income.
	For derivatives that are not designated as a hedge, any gain or loss is immediately recognized in income. The majority of derivatives used in this manner relate to risks resulting from assets or liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and certain commodity contracts that arise in the normal course of business. Gains and losses associated with commodity hedge contracts are classified in Cost of products sold.
	Eaton uses certain of its debt denominated in foreign currency to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against foreign currency exposure (net investment hedges). Foreign currency denominated debt designated on an after-tax basis as non-derivative net investment hedging instruments was $84 and $95 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 5 for additional information about debt.
	Interest Rate Risk
	Eaton has entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk of certain long-term debt. These interest rate swaps are accounted for as fair value hedges of certain long-term debt. The maturity of the swap corresponds with the maturity of the debt instrument as noted in the table of long-term debt in Note 5.
	A summary of interest rate swaps outstanding at December 31, 2014, follows:
	Fixed-to-Floating Interest Rate Swaps
	Notional amount			Fixed interest	Floating interest		Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid
				rate received	rate paid
	150			5.30%	4.42%		1 month LIBOR + 4.26%
	650			1.50%	0.59%		1 month LIBOR + 0.43%
	415			5.60%	3.51%		6 month LIBOR + 3.18%
	300			6.95%	5.30%		3 month LIBOR + 5.07%
	25			8.88%	4.18%		6 month LIBOR + 3.84%
	150			3.88%	2.28%		1 month LIBOR + 2.12%
	200			3.47%	1.85%		1 month LIBOR + 1.69%
	1,250			2.75%	0.67%		1 month LIBOR + 0.52%
	200			3.68%	1.23%		1 month LIBOR + 1.07%
	25			7.63%	2.81%		6 month LIBOR + 2.48%
	50			7.65%	2.89%		6 month LIBOR + 2.57%
	25			5.45%	0.60%		6 month LIBOR + 0.28%
	Derivative Financial Statement Impacts
	The fair value of derivative financial instruments recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets follows:
		Notional			Other			Other				Other				Other		Type of	Term
		amount			current			noncurrent				current				noncurrent		hedge
					assets			assets				liabilities				liabilities
	December 31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedges
	Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps	$	3,440		$	—		$	84			$	—			$	10	Fair value	2 to 19 years
	Currency exchange contracts	432			8			1				5				3		Cash flow	1 to 36 months
	Commodity contracts	1			—			—				—				—		Cash flow	1 to 12 months
	Total				$	8		$	85			$	5			$	13
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Currency exchange contracts	$	4,447		$	47						$	52						1 to 12 months
	Total				$	47						$	52
	December 31, 2013
	Derivatives designated as hedges
	Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps	$	3,090		$	1		$	36			$	—			$	76	Fair value	3 months
																			to 20 years
	Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps	300			—			—				1				—		Cash flow	6 months
	Currency exchange contracts	393			12			—				3				—		Cash flow	12 to 36 months
	Commodity contracts	1			—			—				—				—		Cash flow	1 to 12 months
	Total				$	13		$	36			$	4			$	76
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Currency exchange contracts	$	4,277		$	22						$	26						1 to 12 months
	Total				$	22						$	26
	The currency exchange contracts shown in the table above as derivatives not designated as hedges are primarily contracts entered into to manage currency volatility or exposure on intercompany sales and loans. While Eaton does not elect hedge accounting treatment for these derivatives, Eaton targets managing 100% of the intercompany balance sheet exposure to minimize the effect of currency volatility related to the movement of goods and services in the normal course of its operations. This activity represents the great majority of these currency exchange contracts.
	The impact of derivative instruments to the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income follow:
		Gain (loss) recognized in						Location of gain (loss)		Gain (loss) reclassified
		other comprehensive						reclassified from		from Accumulated other
		(loss) income						Accumulated other		comprehensive loss
								comprehensive loss
		2014			2013					2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
	Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—		Interest expense - net		$	(1	)		$	(1	)
	Currency exchange contracts	(3		)	6			Cost of products sold		6				2
	Commodity contracts	—			—			Cost of products sold		—				(1		)
	Total	$	(3	)	$	6				$	5			$	—
Amounts recognized in net income follow:
	2014			2013
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges
Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps	$	113		$	(126	)
Related long-term debt converted to floating interest	(113		)	126
rates by interest rate swaps
	$	—		$	—
Gains and losses described above were recognized in Interest expense - net.

Accounts_Receivable_and_Invent

Accounts Receivable and Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable and Inventory [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable and Inventory	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND INVENTORY
	Accounts Receivable
	Eaton performs ongoing credit evaluation of its customers and maintains sufficient allowances for potential credit losses. The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on the length of time the receivable is past due and any anticipated future write-off based on historic experience. Accounts receivable balances are written off against an allowance for doubtful accounts after a final determination of uncollectability has been made. Accounts receivable are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $60 and $79 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Inventory
	Inventory is carried at lower of cost or market. Inventory in the United States is generally accounted for using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Remaining United States and non-United States inventory is accounted for using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Cost components include raw materials, purchased components, direct labor, indirect labor, utilities, depreciation, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, and costs of the distribution network.
	The components of inventory follow:
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	924		$	955
	Work-in-process	422			428
	Finished goods	1,201			1,115
	Inventory at FIFO	2,547			2,498
	Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	(119		)	(116		)
	Total inventory	$	2,428		$	2,382
	Inventory at FIFO accounted for using the LIFO method was 41% and 45% at the end of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Business_Segment_and_Geographi

Business Segment and Geographic Region Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment and Geographic Region Information	BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REGION INFORMATION
	Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. Eaton’s segments are as follows:
	Electrical Products and Electrical Systems and Services
	The Electrical Products segment consists of electrical components, industrial components, residential products, single phase power quality, emergency lighting, fire detection, wiring devices, structural support systems, circuit protection, and lighting products. The Electrical Systems and Services segment consists of power distribution and assemblies, three phase power quality, hazardous duty electrical equipment, intrinsically safe explosion-proof instrumentation, utility power distribution, power reliability equipment, and services. The principal markets for these segments are industrial, institutional, governmental, utility, commercial, residential and information technology. These products are used wherever there is a demand for electrical power in commercial buildings, data centers, residences, apartment and office buildings, hospitals, factories, and utilities. The segments share several common global customers, but a large number of customers are located regionally. Sales are made directly to original equipment manufacturers, utilities, and certain other end users, as well as through distributors, resellers, and manufacturers' representatives.
	Hydraulics
	The Hydraulics segment is a global leader in hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment. Eaton offers a wide range of power products including pumps, motors and hydraulic power units; a broad range of controls and sensing products including valves, cylinders and electronic controls; a full range of fluid conveyance products including industrial and hydraulic hose, fittings, and assemblies, thermoplastic hose and tubing, couplings, connectors, and assembly equipment; filtration systems solutions; industrial drum and disc brakes; and golf grips. The principal markets for the Hydraulics segment include oil and gas, renewable energy, marine, agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, utility, material handling, truck and bus, machine tools, molding, primary metals, and power generation. Key manufacturing customers in these markets and other customers are located globally. Products are sold and serviced through a variety of channels.
	Aerospace
	The Aerospace segment is a leading global supplier of aerospace fuel, hydraulics, and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use. Products include hydraulic power generation systems for aerospace applications including pumps, motors, hydraulic power units, hose and fittings, electro-hydraulic pumps; controls and sensing products including valves, cylinders, electronic controls, electromechanical actuators, sensors, aircraft flap and slat systems and nose wheel steering systems; fluid conveyance products, including hose, thermoplastic tubing, fittings, adapters, couplings, sealing and ducting; and fuel systems including fuel pumps, sensors, valves, adapters and regulators. In addition, products included power and load management systems and displays and panels until these businesses were sold in May of 2014. The principal markets for the Aerospace segment are manufacturers of commercial and military aircraft and related after-market customers. These manufacturers and other customers operate globally. Products are sold and serviced through a variety of channels.
	Vehicle
	The Vehicle segment is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing, and supply of drivetrain and powertrain systems and critical components that reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, stability, performance, and safety of cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Products include transmissions, clutches, hybrid power systems, superchargers, engine valves and valve actuation systems, cylinder heads, locking and limited slip differentials, transmission controls, fuel vapor components, fluid connectors and conveyance products for the global vehicle industry. The principal markets for the Vehicle segment are original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers of heavy-, medium-, and light-duty trucks, SUVs, CUVs, passenger cars and agricultural equipment.
	Other Information
	No single customer represented greater than 10% of net sales in 2014, 2013 or 2012, respectively.
	The accounting policies of the business segments are generally the same as the policies described in Note 1, except that inventory and related cost of products sold of the segments are accounted for using the FIFO method and operating profit only reflects the service cost component related to pensions and other postretirement benefits. Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for at the same prices as if the sales and transfers were made to third parties. These intersegment sales are eliminated in consolidation. Operating profit includes the operating profit from intersegment sales.
	For purposes of business segment performance measurement, the Company does not allocate items that are of a non-operating nature or are of a corporate or functional governance nature. Corporate expenses consist of transaction costs associated with the acquisition of certain businesses and corporate office expenses including compensation, benefits, occupancy, depreciation, and other administrative costs. Identifiable assets of the business segments exclude goodwill, other intangible assets, and general corporate assets, which principally consist of cash, short-term investments, deferred income taxes, certain accounts receivable, certain property, plant and equipment, and certain other assets. See Note 2 for additional information about business acquisitions.
	Business Segment Information
		2014			2013			2012
	Net sales
	Electrical Products	$	7,254		$	7,026		$	3,846
	Electrical Systems and Services	6,457			6,430			3,872
	Hydraulics	2,975			2,981			2,960
	Aerospace	1,860			1,774			1,719
	Vehicle	4,006			3,835			3,914
	Total net sales	$	22,552		$	22,046		$	16,311
	Segment operating profit
	Electrical Products	$	1,184		$	1,090		$	640
	Electrical Systems and Services	843			889			424
	Hydraulics	367			355			369
	Aerospace	273			252			213
	Vehicle	645			592			570
	Total segment operating profit	3,312			3,178			2,216
	Corporate
	Litigation settlements	(644		)	—			—
	Amortization of intangible assets	(431		)	(437		)	(195		)
	Interest expense - net	(227		)	(271		)	(208		)
	Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(138		)	(183		)	(162		)
	Inventory step-up adjustment	—			(34		)	(42		)
	Other corporate expense - net	(111		)	(369		)	(358		)
	Income before income taxes	1,761			1,884			1,251
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(42		)	11			31
	Net income	1,803			1,873			1,220
	Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(10		)	(12		)	(3		)
	Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$	1,793		$	1,861		$	1,217
	Business segment operating profit was reduced by acquisition integration charges as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Electrical Products	$	66		$	44		$	4
	Electrical Systems and Services	51			37			13
	Hydraulics	12			36			16
	Total	$	129		$	117		$	33
	Corporate acquisition integration charges totaled $25, $37 and $11 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Corporate acquisition integration charges related primarily to the acquisition of Cooper and are included above in Other corporate expense - net.
	Acquisition-related transaction costs, such as investment banking, legal and other professional fees, and costs associated with change in control agreements, are included above in Interest expense - net and Other corporate expense - net. These charges totaled $9 and $178 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. There were no Corporate acquisition-related transition costs in 2014. See Note 3 for additional information about acquisition integration charges and transaction costs.
		2014			2013			2012
	Identifiable assets
	Electrical Products	$	3,012		$	3,204		$	3,338
	Electrical Systems and Services	2,512			2,683			2,408
	Hydraulics	1,315			1,362			1,426
	Aerospace	832			852			806
	Vehicle	1,668			1,716			1,698
	Total identifiable assets	9,339			9,817			9,676
	Goodwill	13,893			14,495			14,443
	Other intangible assets	6,556			7,186			7,580
	Corporate	3,741			3,993			4,111
	Total assets	$	33,529		$	35,491		$	35,810
	Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment
	Electrical Products	$	170		$	152		$	108
Electrical Systems and Services	147			113			47
Hydraulics	79			80			60
Aerospace	28			29			27
Vehicle	160			161			148
Total	584			535			390
Corporate	48			79			203
Total expenditures for property, plant and equipment	$	632		$	614		$	593
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Electrical Products	$	148		$	151		$	78
Electrical Systems and Services	90			86			42
Hydraulics	67			65			61
Aerospace	28			27			26
Vehicle	130			133			136
Total	463			462			343
Corporate	51			54			38
Total depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$	514		$	516		$	381
Geographic Region Information
Net sales are measured based on the geographic destination of sales. Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment - net.
	2014			2013			2012
Net sales
United States	$	11,701		$	11,092		$	7,789
Canada	1,113			1,154			918
Latin America	1,988			2,113			1,588
Europe	5,074			5,112			3,997
Asia Pacific	2,676			2,575			2,019
Total	$	22,552		$	22,046		$	16,311
Long-lived assets
United States	$	1,988		$	1,966		$	1,914
Canada	25			28			33
Latin America	306			331			346
Europe	799			856			845
Asia Pacific	632			652			648
Total	$	3,750		$	3,833		$	3,786

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	On November 20, 2012, Eaton Corporation issued senior notes totaling $4,900 to finance part of the cash portion of the acquisition of Cooper. On November 14, 2013, the senior notes were exchanged for senior notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Senior Notes). Eaton and certain other of Eaton's 100% owned direct and indirect subsidiaries (the Guarantors) fully and unconditionally guaranteed (subject, in the case of the Guarantors, other than Eaton, to customary release provisions as described below), on a joint and several basis, the Senior Notes. The following condensed consolidating financial statements are included so that separate financial statements of Eaton, Eaton Corporation and each of the Guarantors are not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The consolidating adjustments primarily relate to eliminations of investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. The condensed consolidating financial statements present investments in subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting. See Note 5 for additional information related to the Senior Notes.
	The guarantee of a Guarantor that is not a parent of the issuer will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged in the event of any sale of the Guarantor or of all or substantially all of its assets, or in connection with the release or termination of the Guarantor as a guarantor under all other U.S. debt securities or U.S. syndicated credit facilities, subject to limitations set forth in the indenture. The guarantee of a Guarantor that is a direct or indirect parent of the issuer will only be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged in connection with the release or termination of such Guarantor as a guarantor under all other debt securities or syndicated credit facilities (in both cases, U.S. or otherwise), subject to limitations set forth in the indenture.
	Eaton was incorporated under the laws of Ireland on May 10, 2012, and became the successor registrant to Eaton Corporation on November 30, 2012 in connection with the acquisition of Cooper. Therefore, for presentation purposes of entities under common control, Eaton is presented as the parent company in the 2012 condensed consolidating financial statements.
	During the third quarter of 2014, the Company undertook certain steps to restructure ownership of various subsidiaries. The transactions were entirely among wholly-owned subsidiaries under the common control of Eaton. This restructuring has been reflected as of the beginning of the earliest period presented below.
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
		Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
		Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
		plc
	Net sales	$	—		$	6,990		$	6,885		$	13,521		$	(4,844	)	$	22,552
	Cost of products sold	—			5,519			5,075			9,882			(4,830		)	15,646
	Selling and administrative expense	171			1,246			743			1,650			—			3,810
	Litigation settlements	—			644			—			—			—			644
	Research and development expense	—			240			202			205			—			647
	Interest expense (income) - net	—			225			25			(29		)	6			227
	Other income - net	—			(17		)	(81		)	(85		)	—			(183		)
	Equity in (earnings) loss of	(2,191		)	(674		)	(2,655		)	(302		)	5,822			—
	subsidiaries, net of tax
	Intercompany expense	227			(263		)	855			(819		)	—			—
	(income) - net
	Income before income taxes	1,793			70			2,721			3,019			(5,842		)	1,761
	Income tax (benefit) expense	—			(100		)	76			(11		)	(7		)	(42		)
	Net income	1,793			170			2,645			3,030			(5,835		)	1,803
	Less net income for	—			—			—			(8		)	(2		)	(10		)
	noncontrolling interests
	Net income attributable to	$	1,793		$	170		$	2,645		$	3,022		$	(5,837	)	$	1,793
	Eaton ordinary shareholders
	Other comprehensive loss	(1,339		)	(195		)	(1,367		)	(1,644		)	3,206			(1,339		)
	Total comprehensive income	$	454		$	(25	)	$	1,278		$	1,378		$	(2,631	)	$	454
	(loss) attributable to Eaton
	ordinary shareholders
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
		Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
		Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
		plc
	Net sales	$	—		$	6,695		$	6,421		$	13,579		$	(4,649	)	$	22,046
	Cost of products sold	—			5,227			4,784			10,010			(4,652		)	15,369
	Selling and administrative expense	32			1,400			749			1,705			—			3,886
	Research and development expense	—			255			200			189			—			644
	Interest expense (income) - net	—			271			28			(22		)	(6		)	271
	Other expense (income) - net	—			8			4			(20		)	—			(8		)
	Equity in (earnings) loss of	(2,147		)	(668		)	(2,006		)	(288		)	5,109			—
	subsidiaries, net of tax
	Intercompany expense (income) - net	254			(155		)	(433		)	334			—			—
	Income before income taxes	1,861			357			3,095			1,671			(5,100		)	1,884
	Income tax (benefit) expense	—			(108		)	(90		)	207			2			11
	Net income	1,861			465			3,185			1,464			(5,102		)	1,873
	Less net income for	—			—			—			(9		)	(3		)	(12		)
	noncontrolling interests
	Net income attributable to	$	1,861		$	465		$	3,185		$	1,455		$	(5,105	)	$	1,861
	Eaton ordinary shareholders
	Other comprehensive income	404			219			474			258			(951		)	404
	Total comprehensive income	$	2,265		$	684		$	3,659		$	1,713		$	(6,056	)	$	2,265
	attributable to Eaton
	ordinary shareholders
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
		Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
		Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
		plc
	Net sales	$	—		$	6,680		$	2,849		$	10,346		$	(3,564	)	$	16,311
	Cost of products sold	—			5,115			2,193			7,708			(3,568		)	11,448
Selling and administrative expense	—			1,307			335			1,252			—			2,894
Research and development expense	—			230			108			101			—			439
Interest expense (income) - net	—			229			8			(29		)	—			208
Other income - net	—			10			48			13			—			71
Equity in (earnings) loss of	(1,219		)	(236		)	(1,292		)	(123		)	2,870			—
subsidiaries, net of tax
Intercompany expense (income) - net	2			(237		)	42			193			—			—
Income before income taxes	1,217			262			1,407			1,231			(2,866		)	1,251
Income tax expense	—			24			—			6			1			31
Net income	1,217			238			1,407			1,225			(2,867		)	1,220
Less net income for	—			—			—			(3		)	—			(3		)
noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to	$	1,217		$	238		$	1,407		$	1,222		$	(2,867	)	$	1,217
Eaton ordinary shareholders
Other comprehensive (loss) income	—			(27		)	(17		)	82			(38		)	—
Total comprehensive income	$	1,217		$	211		$	1,390		$	1,304		$	(2,905	)	$	1,217
(loss) attributable to Eaton
ordinary shareholders
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
31-Dec-14
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	1		$	173		$	13		$	594		$	—		$	781
Short-term investments	—			—			1			244			—			245
Accounts receivable - net	—			500			955			2,212			—			3,667
Intercompany accounts receivable	2			759			3,820			4,101			(8,682		)	—
Inventory	—			397			637			1,445			(51		)	2,428
Prepaid expenses and other	—			464			171			340			4			979
current assets
Total current assets	3			2,293			5,597			8,936			(8,729		)	8,100
Property, plant and equipment - net	—			972			756			2,022			—			3,750
Other noncurrent assets
Goodwill	—			1,355			6,256			6,282			—			13,893
Other intangible assets	—			196			3,811			2,549			—			6,556
Deferred income taxes	—			889			10			137			(808		)	228
Investment in subsidiaries	26,612			12,179			58,687			9,145			(106,623		)	—
Intercompany loans receivable	—			7,542			2,249			40,635			(50,426		)	—
Other assets	—			533			141			328			—			1,002
Total assets	$	26,615		$	25,959		$	77,507		$	70,034		$	(166,586	)	$	33,529
Liabilities and shareholders’
equity
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	—		$	2
Current portion of long-term debt	—			702			304			2			—			1,008
Accounts payable	—			475			340			1,125			—			1,940
Intercompany accounts payable	117			4,125			3,449			991			(8,682		)	—
Accrued compensation	—			112			59			249			—			420
Other current liabilities	1			674			340			984			(14		)	1,985
Total current liabilities	118			6,088			4,492			3,353			(8,696		)	5,355
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	—			7,079			932			13			—			8,024
Pension liabilities	—			726			183			903			—			1,812
Other postretirement benefits	—			283			136			94			—			513
liabilities
Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,160			549			(808		)	901
Intercompany loans payable	10,711			2,723			36,162			830			(50,426		)	—
Other noncurrent liabilities	—			457			183			445			—			1,085
Total noncurrent liabilities	10,711			11,268			38,756			2,834			(51,234		)	12,335
Shareholders’ equity
Eaton shareholders' equity	15,786			8,603			34,259			63,802			(106,664		)	15,786
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			45			8			53
Total equity	15,786			8,603			34,259			63,847			(106,656		)	15,839
Total liabilities and equity	$	26,615		$	25,959		$	77,507		$	70,034		$	(166,586	)	$	33,529
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
31-Dec-13
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	3		$	51		$	10		$	851		$	—		$	915
Short-term investments	—			—			134			660			—			794
Accounts receivable - net	—			473			922			2,253			—			3,648
Intercompany accounts receivable	5			471			3,369			4,469			(8,314		)	—
Inventory	—			344			609			1,466			(37		)	2,382
Prepaid expenses and other	—			458			175			350			9			992
current assets
Total current assets	8			1,797			5,219			10,049			(8,342		)	8,731
Property, plant and equipment - net	—			982			761			2,090			—			3,833
Other noncurrent assets
Goodwill	—			1,382			6,294			6,819			—			14,495
Other intangible assets	—			211			3,996			2,979			—			7,186
Deferred income taxes	—			839			3			145			(747		)	240
Investment in subsidiaries	24,940			4,743			38,039			1,576			(69,298		)	—
Intercompany loans receivable	—			8,019			2,312			18,822			(29,153		)	—
Other assets	—			450			186			370			—			1,006
Total assets	$	24,948		$	18,423		$	56,810		$	42,850		$	(107,540	)	$	35,491
Liabilities and shareholders’
equity
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	13		$	—		$	13
Current portion of long-term debt	—			552			—			15			—			567
Accounts payable	—			440			380			1,140			—			1,960
Intercompany accounts payable	4			3,734			3,266			1,310			(8,314		)	—
Accrued compensation	—			140			37			284			—			461
Other current liabilities	5			547			400			965			(4		)	1,913
Total current liabilities	9			5,413			4,083			3,727			(8,318		)	4,914
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	—			7,693			1,266			16			(6		)	8,969
Pension liabilities	—			546			131			788			—			1,465
Other postretirement benefits	—			402			171			95			—			668
liabilities
Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,303			757			(747		)	1,313
Intercompany loans payable	8,148			2,113			18,253			639			(29,153		)	—
Other noncurrent liabilities	—			652			161			486			—			1,299
Total noncurrent liabilities	8,148			11,406			21,285			2,781			(29,906		)	13,714
Shareholders’ equity
Eaton shareholders' equity	16,791			1,604			31,442			36,276			(69,322		)	16,791
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			66			6			72
Total equity	16,791			1,604			31,442			36,342			(69,316		)	16,863
Total liabilities and equity	$	24,948		$	18,423		$	56,810		$	42,850		$	(107,540	)	$	35,491
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
31-Dec-14
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Net cash (used in) provided by	$	(93	)	$	(411	)	$	(218	)	$	2,568		$	32		$	1,878
operating activities
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for property,	—			(127		)	(168		)	(337		)	—			(632		)
plant and equipment
Cash received from acquisitions of	—			—			—			2			—			2
businesses, net of cash paid
Sales of short-term investment - net	—			—			133			389			—			522
Investments in affiliates	(753		)	—			—			(753		)	1,506			—
Loans to affiliates	—			(354		)	(162		)	(10,546		)	11,062			—
Repayments of loans from affiliates	—			978			212			8,451			(9,641		)	—
Proceeds from the sales	—			93			175			14			—			282
of businesses
Other - net	—			(47		)	44			(28		)	—			(31		)
Net cash (used in) provided by	(753		)	543			234			(2,808		)	2,927			143
investing activities
Financing activities
Payments on borrowings	—			(553		)	(1		)	(28		)	—			(582		)
Proceeds from borrowings from	2,628			7,599			808			27			(11,062		)	—
affiliates
Payments on borrowings from	(476		)	(6,907		)	(1,875		)	(383		)	9,641			—
affiliates
Capital contribution from affiliates	—			—			753			753			(1,506		)	—
Other intercompany financing	217			(169		)	302			(350		)	—			—
activities
Cash dividends paid	(929		)	—			—			—			—			(929		)
Cash dividends received from	—			—			—			32			(32		)	—
affiliates
Exercise of employee stock	54			—			—			—			—			54
options
(Repurchase) of shares	(650		)	—			—			—			—			(650		)
Excess tax benefit from	—			20			—			—			—			20
equity-based compensation
Other - net	—			—			—			(43		)	—			(43		)
Net cash provided by (used in)	844			(10		)	(13		)	8			(2,959		)	(2,130		)
financing activities
Effect of currency on cash	—			—			—			(25		)	—			(25		)
Total (decrease) increase in cash	(2		)	122			3			(257		)	—			(134		)
Cash at the beginning of the period	3			51			10			851			—			915
Cash at the end of the period	$	1		$	173		$	13		$	594		$	—		$	781
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
31-Dec-13
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Net cash (used in) provided by	$	(17	)	$	860		$	428		$	1,067		$	(53	)	$	2,285
operating activities
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for property,	—			(171		)	(119		)	(324		)	—			(614		)
plant and equipment
Cash paid for acquisitions of	—			—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
businesses, net of cash acquired
Sales (purchases) of short-term	—			25			(95		)	(218		)	—			(288		)
investments - net
Loans to affiliates	—			(535		)	(545		)	(6,215		)	7,295			—
Repayments of loans from affiliates	—			36			626			5,795			(6,457		)	—
Proceeds from the sales	—			—			—			777			—			777
of businesses
Other - net	—			(41		)	(12		)	(15		)	—			(68		)
Net cash (used in)	—			(686		)	(145		)	(209		)	838			(202		)
investing activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	—			—			—			9			—			9
Payments on borrowings	—			(1,048		)	(43		)	(5		)	—			(1,096		)
Proceeds from borrowings from	—			2,395			4,260			640			(7,295		)	—
affiliates
Payments on borrowings from	—			(2,921		)	(2,874		)	(662		)	6,457			—
affiliates
Other intercompany financing	688			1,365			(1,630		)	(423		)	—			—
activities
Cash dividends paid	(796		)	—			—			—			—			(796		)
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	—			—			—			(53		)	53			—
Exercise of employee stock options	121			—			—			—			—			121
Excess tax benefit from equity-based	—			32			—			—			—			32
compensation
Other - net	—			—			—			(6		)	—			(6		)
Net cash provided by (used in)	13			(177		)	(287		)	(500		)	(785		)	(1,736		)
financing activities
Effect of currency on cash	—			—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
Total (decrease) increase in cash	(4		)	(3		)	(4		)	349			—			338
Cash at the beginning of the period	7			54			14			502			—			577
Cash at the end of the period	$	3		$	51		$	10		$	851		$	—		$	915
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
31-Dec-12
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Net cash (used in) provided by	$	(60	)	$	1,037		$	217		$	487		$	(17	)	$	1,664
operating activities
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for property,	—			(291		)	(73		)	(229		)	—			(593		)
plant and equipment
Cash (paid for) received from	(6,542		)	—			11			(405		)	—			(6,936		)
acquisitions of businesses, net of
cash acquired
Sales of short-term	—			175			210			218			—			603
investments - net
Loans to affiliates	—			(6,693		)	—			(8,054		)	14,747			—
Repayments of loans from affiliates	—			268			—			8,175			(8,443		)	—
Proceeds from the sales of	—			2			—			1			—			3
businesses
Other - net	—			(28		)	2			(23		)	—			(49		)
Net cash (used in) provided by	(6,542		)	(6,567		)	150			(317		)	6,304			(6,972		)
investing activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	—			7,156			—			—			—			7,156
Payments on borrowings	—			(1,306		)	(16		)	(2		)	—			(1,324		)
Payments of financing costs	—			(117		)	—			—			—			(117		)
Proceeds from borrowings from	5			8,054			6,425			263			(14,747		)	—
affiliates
Payments on borrowings from	(5		)	(8,175		)	—			(263		)	8,443			—
affiliates
Other intercompany financing	—			273			(340		)	67			—			—
activities
Cash dividends paid	—			(512		)	—			—			—			(512		)
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	—			—			—			(17		)	17			—
Exercise of employee stock options	25			70			—			—			—			95
Issuance (repurchase) of shares	6,584			—			(6,425		)	—			—			159
Excess tax benefit from equity-based	—			21			—			—			—			21
compensation
Other - net	—			—			—			2			—			2
Net cash provided by (used in)	6,609			5,464			(356		)	50			(6,287		)	5,480
financing activities
Effect of currency on cash	—			—			—			20			—			20
Total increase (decrease) in cash	7			(66		)	11			240			—			192
Cash at the beginning of the period	—			120			3			262			—			385
Cash at the end of the period	$	7		$	54		$	14		$	502		$	—		$	577

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
General Information	General Information and Basis of Presentation
	Eaton Corporation plc (Eaton or the Company) is a power management company with 2014 net sales of $22.6 billion. The Company provides energy-efficient solutions that help its customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 102,000 employees in over 60 countries and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries.
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eaton and all subsidiaries and other entities it controls. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in associate companies where the Company has significant influence and generally a 20% to 50% ownership interest. Equity investments are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the book value of the investment exceeds fair value. An impairment would exist if there is an other-than-temporary decline in value. These associate companies are not material either individually, or in the aggregate, to Eaton's consolidated financial statements. Eaton does not have off-balance sheet arrangements or financings with unconsolidated entities. In the ordinary course of business, the Company leases certain real properties and equipment, as described in Note 7.
	Eaton's functional currency is United States Dollars (USD). The functional currency for most subsidiaries is their local currency. Financial statements for these subsidiaries are translated at year-end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and weighted-average exchange rates as to revenues and expenses. The resulting translation adjustments are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Business Description and Basis of Presentation	Eaton Corporation plc (Eaton or the Company) is a power management company with 2014 net sales of $22.6 billion. The Company provides energy-efficient solutions that help its customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 102,000 employees in over 60 countries and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries.
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.
Consolidation Policy	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eaton and all subsidiaries and other entities it controls. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in associate companies where the Company has significant influence and generally a 20% to 50% ownership interest. Equity investments are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the book value of the investment exceeds fair value. An impairment would exist if there is an other-than-temporary decline in value. These associate companies are not material either individually, or in the aggregate, to Eaton's consolidated financial statements. Eaton does not have off-balance sheet arrangements or financings with unconsolidated entities. In the ordinary course of business, the Company leases certain real properties and equipment, as described in Note 7.
Foreign Currency Translation	Eaton's functional currency is United States Dollars (USD). The functional currency for most subsidiaries is their local currency. Financial statements for these subsidiaries are translated at year-end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and weighted-average exchange rates as to revenues and expenses. The resulting translation adjustments are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Reclassifications	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Sales of products are recognized when a sales agreement is in place, products have been shipped to unaffiliated customers and title has transferred in accordance with shipping terms, the selling price is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured, all significant related acts of performance have been completed, and no other significant uncertainties exist. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in Net sales and the related costs in Cost of products sold. Although the majority of the sales agreements contain standard terms and conditions, there are agreements that contain multiple elements or non-standard terms and conditions. As a result, judgment is required to determine the appropriate accounting, including whether the deliverables specified in these agreements should be treated as separate units of accounting for recognition purposes, and, if so, how the sales price should be allocated among the elements and when to recognize sales for each element. For delivered elements, sales generally are recognized only when the delivered elements have standalone value and there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance. Sales for service contracts generally are recognized as the services are provided.
	Eaton records reductions to revenue for customer and distributor incentives, primarily comprised of rebates, at the time of the initial sale. Rebates are estimated based on sales terms, historical experience, trend analysis, and projected market conditions in the various markets served. The rebate programs offered vary across businesses due to the numerous markets Eaton serves, but the most common incentives relate to amounts paid or credited to customers for achieving defined volume levels.
Goodwill and Indefinite Life Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Indefinite Life Intangible Assets
	Goodwill is evaluated annually for impairment as of July 1 using either a quantitative or qualitative analysis. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is equivalent to Eaton's operating segments and based on the net assets for each segment, including goodwill and intangible assets. Goodwill is assigned to each operating segment, as this represents the lowest level that constitutes a business and is the level at which management regularly reviews the operating results. The Company performs a quantitative analysis using a discounted cash flow model and other valuation techniques, but may elect to perform a qualitative analysis. Additionally, goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate there may be a possible permanent loss of value.
	Goodwill impairment testing for 2014 was performed using a qualitative analysis, which is performed by assessing certain trends and factors, including projected market outlook and growth rates, forecasted and actual sales and operating profit margins, discount rates, industry data, and other relevant qualitative factors. These trends and factors are compared to, and based on, the assumptions used in the most recent quantitative assessment. The results of the qualitative analysis did not indicate a need to perform a quantitative analysis.
	Goodwill impairment testing for 2013 was performed using a quantitative analysis under which the fair value for each reporting unit was estimated using a discounted cash flow model, which considered forecasted cash flows discounted at an estimated weighted-average cost of capital. The forecasted cash flows were based on the Company's long-term operating plan and a terminal value was used to estimate the operating segment's cash flows beyond the period covered by the operating plan. The weighted-average cost of capital is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by equity and debt market holders of a business enterprise. These analyses require the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the timing of expected future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. Sensitivity analyses were performed in order to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions and the resulting estimated fair values.
	For 2014 and 2013, based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively, the fair values of Eaton's reporting units continue to substantially exceed the respective carrying amounts.
	Indefinite life intangible assets consist of trademarks. They are evaluated annually for impairment as of July 1 using either a quantitative or qualitative analysis to determine whether their fair values exceed their respective carrying amounts. Indefinite life intangible asset impairment testing for 2014 and 2013 was performed using a quantitative analysis. The Company determines the fair value of these assets using a royalty relief methodology similar to that employed when the associated assets were acquired, but using updated estimates of future sales, cash flows and profitability. For 2014 and 2013, the fair value of indefinite lived intangible assets substantially exceeded the respective carrying value.
	For additional information about goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 4.
Other Long-Lived Assets	Other Long-Lived Assets
	Depreciation and amortization for property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets subject to amortization, are generally computed by the straight-line method and included in Cost of products sold, Selling and administrative expense, and Research and development expense, as appropriate. Cost of buildings are depreciated generally over 40 years and machinery and equipment over 3 to 10 years. At December 31, 2014, the weighted-average amortization period for intangible assets subject to amortization was 17 years for patents and technology, primarily as a result of the long life of aircraft platforms; 17 years for customer relationships; and 16 years for trademarks. Software is amortized up to a maximum life of 10 years.
	Other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Upon indications of impairment, assets and liabilities are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The asset group would be considered impaired when the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows generated by the asset group are less than its carrying value. Determining asset groups and underlying cash flows requires the use of significant judgment.
Retirement Benefits Plans	Retirement Benefits Plans
	For the principal pension plans in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom, the Company uses a market-related value of plan assets to calculate the expected return on assets used to determine net periodic benefit costs. The market-related value of plan assets is a calculated value that recognizes changes in the fair value of plan assets over a five year period. All other plans use fair value of plan assets.
	Net actuarial gains or losses are amortized to expense on a plan-by-plan basis when they exceed the accounting corridor. The Company’s corridors are set at either 8% or 10%, depending on the plan, of the greater of the plan assets or benefit obligations. Gains or losses outside of the corridor are subject to amortization over an average employee future service period that differs by plan, but is approximately 13 years on a weighted average basis. If most or all of the plan’s participants are no longer actively accruing benefits, the average life expectancy is used.
Warranty Accruals	Warranty Accruals
	Product warranty accruals are established at the time the related sale is recognized through a charge to Cost of products sold. Warranty accrual estimates are based primarily on historical warranty claim experience and specific customer contracts. Provisions for warranty accruals are comprised of basic warranties for products sold, as well as accruals for product recalls and other events when they are known and estimable. See Note 7 for additional information about warranty accruals.
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations
	A conditional asset retirement obligation is recognized at fair value when incurred if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Uncertainty about the timing or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation would be considered in the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. Eaton believes that for substantially all of its asset retirement obligations, there is an indeterminate settlement date because the range of time over which the Company may settle the obligation is unknown or cannot be estimated. A liability for these obligations will be recognized when sufficient information is available to estimate fair value.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of the respective assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for income tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards. Judgment is required in determining and evaluating income tax provisions and valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets. Eaton recognizes the income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Eaton evaluates and adjusts these accruals based on changing facts and circumstances. Eaton recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in the provision for income tax expense. Penalties on unrecognized income tax benefits have been accrued for jurisdictions where penalties are automatically applied to any deficiency, regardless of the merit of the position. For additional information about income taxes, see Note 8.
Equity-Based Compensation	Equity-Based Compensation
	Eaton recognizes equity-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the award over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Participants awarded restricted stock units (RSUs) do not receive dividends; therefore, their fair value is determined by reducing the closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the date of grant by the present value of the estimated dividends had they been paid. The RSUs entitle the holder to receive one ordinary share for each RSU upon vesting, generally over three or four years. The fair value of restricted stock awards (RSAs) is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares at the date of grant. RSAs are issued and outstanding at the time of grant, but remain subject to forfeiture until vested, generally over three or four years. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of Eaton ordinary shares on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate, and the expected dividend yield. See Note 10 for additional information about equity-based compensation.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Eaton uses derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure to the volatility in raw material costs, currency, and interest rates on certain debt. These instruments are marked to fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of derivative assets or liabilities (i.e., gains or losses) are recognized depending upon the type of hedging relationship and whether an instrument has been designated as a hedge. For those instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, Eaton designates the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a cash flow hedge, a fair value hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Changes in fair value of these instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized immediately in net income. See Note 12 for additional information about hedges and derivative financial instruments.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09). This accounting standard supersedes all existing US GAAP revenue recognition guidance. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers the control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the company expects to collect in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will require additional disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Eaton is evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09 and an estimate of the impact to the consolidated financial statements cannot be made at this time.

Acquisitions_and_Sales_of_Busi1

Acquisitions and Sales of Businesses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Fair Value of Consideration Transferred [Table Text Block]	The total purchase price for the acquisition of Cooper was $13,192, comprised of Eaton share consideration valued at $6,649 and cash consideration for Cooper shares of $6,474 and to settle certain Cooper equity-based compensation plans of $69, as follows:
	Cooper shares outstanding as of November 30, 2012	163.6
	Cooper shares issued pursuant to conversion of stock options and share units outstanding under	1.8
	Cooper equity-based compensation plans
	Total Cooper shares and share equivalents prior to transaction	165.4
	Exchange ratio per share	0.77479
	Total Eaton shares issued	128.1
	Weighted-average Eaton Corporation per share price on November 30, 2012	$	51.91
	Total value of Eaton shares issued	$	6,649
	Total cash consideration paid at $39.15 per Cooper share and share equivalent	6,474
	Total cash consideration paid for equity-based compensation plans	69
	Total consideration	$	13,192
Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]
		November 30,				Adjustments			November 30,
		2012							2012
		(as previously							(final adjusted)
		reported)
	Working capital accounts (1)	$	2,304			$	(18	)	$	2,286
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	204				69			273
	Property, plant and equipment	885				(40		)	845
	Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC	807				(7		)	800
	Intangible assets	5,250				119			5,369
	Other assets	35				30			65
	Debt	(1,221		)		—			(1,221		)
	Accounts payable	(519		)		3			(516		)
	Other current liabilities	(673		)		(206		)	(879		)
	Other noncurrent liabilities	(2,185		)		(177		)	(2,362		)
	Total identifiable net assets	4,887				(227		)	4,660
	Goodwill	8,305				227			8,532
	Total consideration	$	13,192			$	—		$	13,192
	(1) Working capital accounts include Cash, Short-term investments, Accounts receivable and Inventory.
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	The following unaudited pro forma information gives effect to Eaton's acquisition of Cooper as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012 and Cooper had been included in Eaton's consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
		2012
	Net sales	$	21,792
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,695
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	3.54
Annual Sales of Acquired Entities From Previous Periods [TableText Block]	These transactions, and the related annual sales prior to acquisition, are summarized below:
	Acquired businesses		Date of		Business		Annual sales
			transaction		segment
	Rolec Comercial e Industrial S.A.		September 28,		Electrical		$85 for the
			2012		Systems		12 months
					and		ended
					Services		September 30,
	A Chilean manufacturer of integrated power assemblies and low- and medium-voltage switchgear, and a provider of engineering services serving mining and other heavy industrial applications in Chile and Peru.						2012
	Jeil Hydraulics Co., Ltd.		July 6,		Hydraulics		$189 for 2011
	A Korean manufacturer of track drive motors, swing drive motors, main control valves and remote control valves for the construction equipment market.		2012
	Polimer Kaucuk Sanayi ve Pazarlama A.S.		June 1,		Hydraulics		$335 for 2011
	A Turkish manufacturer of hydraulic and industrial hose for construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, food and beverage, and chemicals markets. This business sells its products under the SEL brand name.		2012
	Gycom Electrical Low-Voltage Power Distribution, Control and Automation		June 1,		Electrical		$24 for 2011
			2012		Systems
					and
	A Swedish electrical low-voltage power distribution, control and automation components business.				Services

Acquisition_Integration_and_Re1

Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Acquisition Integration Charges and Transaction Costs	A summary of these charges follows:
		2014		2013		2012
	Acquisition integration charges
	Electrical Products	$	66	$	44	$	4
	Electrical Systems and Services	51		37		13
	Hydraulics	12		36		16
	Total business segments	129		117		33
	Corporate	25		37		11
	Total acquisition integration charges	154		154		44
	Transaction costs
	Corporate	—		8		106
	Financing fees	—		1		72
	Total transaction costs	—		9		178
	Total acquisition integration charges and transaction costs	$	154	$	163	$	222
	before income taxes
	Total after income taxes	$	102	$	110	$	167
	Per ordinary share - diluted	$	0.21	$	0.23	$	0.48

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Rollforward of goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment follow:
		Electrical			Electrical			Hydraulics			Aerospace			Vehicle			Total
		Products			Systems
					and Services
	31-Dec-12	$	7,117		$	4,520		$	1,404		$	1,045		$	357		$	14,443
	Additions	1			22			4			—			—			27
	Translation adjustments	71			(25		)	(23		)	3			(1		)	25
	31-Dec-13	7,189			4,517			1,385			1,048			356			14,495
	Goodwill written off from	—			—			—			(78		)	—			(78		)
	sale of businesses
	Translation adjustments	(249		)	(203		)	(58		)	(8		)	(6		)	(524		)
	31-Dec-14	$	6,940		$	4,314		$	1,327		$	962		$	350		$	13,893
Summary of other intangible assets	A summary of other intangible assets follows:
		2014						2013
		Historical			Accumulated			Historical			Accumulated
		cost			amortization			cost			amortization
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization
	Trademarks	$	1,844					$	1,868
	Intangible assets subject to amortization
	Customer relationships	$	3,674		$	834		$	3,859		$	669
	Patents and technology	1,494			440			1,588			389
	Trademarks	980			250			1,052			215
	Other	103			15			103			11
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$	6,251		$	1,539		$	6,602		$	1,284
Expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization in 2014, and for each of the next five years	Amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization in 2014, and estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years, follows:
	2014	$	424
	2015	410
	2016	397
	2017	387
	2018	367
	2019	360
Other intangible assets related to the acquisition of Cooper [Table Text Block]	The final adjusted estimated fair value, as of November 30, 2012, of these identifiable intangible assets, their estimated useful lives and valuation methodology are as follows:
		Fair value			Useful life		Valuation method
	Trade names (indefinite-lived)	$	1,410		N/A		Relief-from-royalty
	Trade names	638			20-Mar		Relief-from-royalty
	Customer relationships	2,510			13-18		Multi-period excess earnings
	Technology	767			20-Apr		Relief-from-royalty;
							Multi-period excess earnings
	Contract-based	44			9.5		Relief-from-royalty
		$	5,369

Debt_Debt_Tables

Debt Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
DEBT [Abstract]
Summary of long-term debt, including the current portion	A summary of long-term debt, including the current portion, follows:
		2014			2013
	5.95% notes due 2014	$	—		$	250
	Floating rate notes due 2014	—			300
	5.45% debentures due 2015	300			300
	4.65% notes due 2015	100			100
	0.95% senior notes due 2015	600			600
	2.375% debentures due 2016	240			240
	5.30% notes due 2017 ($150 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	250			250
	6.10% debentures due 2017	289			289
	1.50% senior notes due 2017 ($650 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	1,000			1,000
	5.60% notes due 2018 ($415 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	450			450
	4.215% Japanese Yen notes due 2018	84			95
	6.95% notes due 2019 ($300 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	300			300
	3.875% debentures due 2020 ($150 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	239			239
	3.47% notes due 2021 ($200 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	300			300
	8.10% debentures due 2022	100			100
	2.75% senior notes due 2022 ($1,250 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	1,600			1,600
	3.68% notes due 2023 ($200 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	300			300
	6.50% debentures due 2025	145			145
	7.65% debentures due 2029 ($50 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	200			200
	4.00% senior notes due 2032	700			700
	5.45% debentures due 2034 ($25 converted to floating rate by interest rate swap)	136			136
	5.80% notes due 2037	240			240
	4.15% senior notes due 2042	1,000			1,000
	5.25% to 12.5% notes (maturities ranging from 2014 to 2035, including $50 converted to	239			249
	floating rate by interest rate swap)
	Other	220			153
	Total long-term debt	9,032			9,536
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(1,008		)	(567		)
	Long-term debt less current portion	$	8,024		$	8,969
Mandatory maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years	Mandatory maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years follow:
	2015	$	1,008
	2016	242
	2017	1,548
	2018	570
	2019	339
Interest paid on debt	Interest paid on debt follows:
	2014	$	296
	2013	294
	2012	237

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Tabl

Retirement Benefits Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Obligations and funded status	Obligations and Funded Status
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Funded status
	Fair value of plan assets	$	3,086			$	2,940			$	1,535		$	1,432			$	116		$	138
	Benefit obligations	(4,047		)		(3,625		)		(2,337		)	(2,127		)		(676		)	(867		)
	Funded status	$	(961	)		$	(685	)		$	(802	)	$	(695	)		$	(560	)	$	(729	)
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated
	Balance Sheets
	Non-current assets	$	14			$	44			$	77		$	86			$	—		$	—
	Current liabilities	(16		)		(15		)		(26		)	(30		)		(47		)	(61		)
	Non-current liabilities	(959		)		(714		)		(853		)	(751		)		(513		)	(668		)
	Total	$	(961	)		$	(685	)		$	(802	)	$	(695	)		$	(560	)	$	(729	)
	Amounts recognized in Accumulated other
	comprehensive loss (pretax)
	Net actuarial loss	$	1,377			$	1,051			$	695		$	515			$	176		$	190
	Prior service cost (credit)	5				3				11			13				(86		)	(6		)
	Total	$	1,382			$	1,054			$	706		$	528			$	90		$	184
Change in benefit obligations	Change in Benefit Obligations
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	3,625			$	3,817			$	2,127		$	2,017			$	867		$	950
	Service cost	117				128				66			62				13			20
	Interest cost	162				147				85			80				32			35
	Actuarial loss (gain)	470				(223		)		355			21				(36		)	(54		)
	Gross benefits paid	(329		)		(246		)		(106		)	(90		)		(91		)	(103		)
	Currency translation	—				—				(190		)	36				(4		)	(2		)
	Plan amendments	2				2				—			4				(84		)	—
	Other	—				—				—			(3		)		(21		)	21
	Balance at December 31	$	4,047			$	3,625			$	2,337		$	2,127			$	676		$	867
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	3,894			$	3,458			$	2,181		$	2,003
Change in plan assets	Change in Plan Assets
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	2,940			$	2,607			$	1,432		$	1,248			$	138		$	146
	Actual return on plan assets	226				383				191			118				4			15
	Employer contributions	248				196				114			145				40			59
	Gross benefits paid	(329		)		(246		)		(106		)	(90		)		(91		)	(103		)
	Currency translation	—				—				(96		)	15				—			—
	Other	1				—				—			(4		)		25			21
	Balance at December 31	$	3,086			$	2,940			$	1,535		$	1,432			$	116		$	138
Components of pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	The components of pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31 follow:
		United States								Non-United States
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Projected benefit obligation	$	3,557			$	3,166			$	1,524		$	1,411
	Accumulated benefit obligation	3,403				2,999				1,446			1,349
	Fair value of plan assets	2,581				2,437				673			635
Changes in pension and other postretirement benefits liabilities recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Changes in pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:
		United States								Non-United States							Other postretirement
		pension liabilities								pension liabilities							liabilities
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014			2013
	Balance at January 1	$	1,054			$	1,621			$	528		$	559			$	184		$	262
	Prior service cost arising during the year	2				2				—			4				(84		)	—
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year	490				(381		)		262			(12		)		(34		)	(63		)
	Currency translation	—				—				(55		)	6				(1		)	(1		)
	Less amounts included in expense during the year	(164		)		(186		)		(29		)	(29		)		25			(14		)
	Other	—				(2		)		—			—				—			—
	Net change for the year	328				(567		)		178			(31		)		(94		)	(78		)
	Balance at December 31	$	1,382			$	1,054			$	706		$	528			$	90		$	184
Benefits expense	Benefits Expense
		United States											Non-United States										Other postretirement
		pension benefit expense											pension benefit expense										benefits expense
		2014				2013				2012			2014				2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	117			$	128			$	115		$	66			$	62		$	50		$	13		$	20		$	17
	Interest cost	162				147				134			85				80			77			32			35			38
	Expected return on plan assets	(246		)		(226		)		(183		)	(98		)		(85		)	(77		)	(6		)	(6		)	(6		)
	Amortization	93				133				118			27				27			15			6			14			13
		126				182				184			80				84			65			45			63			62
	Settlements, curtailments	71				53				20			2				2			4			(31		)	—			—
	and other
	Total expense	$	197			$	235			$	204		$	82			$	86		$	69		$	14		$	63		$	62
Estimated pretax net amounts that will be recognized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost	The estimated pretax net amounts that will be recognized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in 2015 follow:
		United States				Non-United States				Other postretirement
		pension liabilities				pension liabilities				liabilities
	Actuarial loss	$	168			$	39			$	15
	Prior service cost (credit)	1				1				(14		)
	Total	$	169			$	40			$	1
Assumptions used to determine other postretirement obligations and expense	Pension Plans
		United States									Non-United States
		pension plans									pension plans
		2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
	Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end
	Discount rate	3.97	%		4.67	%		3.97	%		3.33	%	4.2	%		4.17	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.16	%		3.16	%		3.16	%		3.13	%	3.12	%		3.09	%
	Assumptions used to determine expense
	Discount rate	4.67	%		3.97	%		4.7	%		4.2	%	4.17	%		5.12	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets	8.4	%		8.45	%		8.5	%		7	%	6.92	%		7.1	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.16	%		3.16	%		3.15	%		3.12	%	3.09	%		3.62	%
Assumptions used to determine other postretirement benefits obligations and expense	Assumptions used to determine other postretirement benefits obligations and expense follow:
		Other postretirement
		benefits plans
		2014			2013			2012
	Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end
	Discount rate	3.79	%		4.48	%		3.79	%
	Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	6.31	%		6.64	%		6.96	%
	Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.77	%		4.77	%		4.53	%
	Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved	2024			2023			2022
	Assumptions used to determine expense
	Discount rate	4.48	%		3.79	%		4.6	%
	Initial health care cost trend rate	6.64	%		6.96	%		7.6	%
	Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.77	%		4.53	%		4.5	%
	Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved	2023			2022			2020
1-percentage change in the assumed health care cost trend rates	A 1-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
		1% increase				1% decrease
	Effect on total service and interest cost	$	1			$	(1	)
	Effect on other postretirement liabilities	20				(18		)
Employer contributions to pension plans	Contributions to pension plans that Eaton expects to make in 2015, and made in 2014, 2013 and 2012, follow:
		2015				2014				2013			2012
	United States plans	$	217			$	248			$	196		$	311
	Non-United States plans	109				114				145			102
	Total contributions	$	326			$	362			$	341		$	413
Expected pension and other postretirement benefit payments and expected subsidy	For other postretirement benefits liabilities, the expected subsidy receipts related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, would reduce the gross payments listed below.
		Estimated				Estimated				Estimated other postretirement
		United States				non-United States				benefit payments
		pension payments				pension payments				Gross			Medicare prescription
													drug subsidy
	2015	$	268			$	92			$	75		$	(6	)
	2016	281				92				71			(6		)
	2017	285				94				67			(6		)
	2018	289				98				62			(5		)
	2019	297				99				56			(4		)
	2020 - 2024	1,544				542				226			(13		)
Fair value of pension plan assets	A summary of the fair value of pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, follows:
		Total				Quoted prices				Other			Unobservable
						in active				observable			inputs
						markets for				inputs			(Level 3)
						identical assets				(Level 2)
						(Level 1)
	2014
	Common collective trusts
	Non-United States equity and global equities	$	1,458			$	—			$	1,458		$	—
	United States equity	1,005				—				1,005			—
	Fixed income	646				—				646			—
	Exchange traded funds	138				—				138			—
	Fixed income securities	398				—				398			—
	United States treasuries	106				106				—			—
	Bank loans	128				—				128			—
	Real estate securities	263				257				—			6
	Equity securities	92				92				—			—
	Cash equivalents	218				8				210			—
	Hedge funds	54				—				—			54
	Exchange traded funds	50				50				—			—
	Other	65				—				5			60
	Total pension plan assets	$	4,621			$	513			$	3,988		$	120
	2013
	Common collective trusts
	Non-United States equity and global equities	$	1,453			$	—			$	1,453		$	—
	United States equity	1,153				—				1,153			—
	Fixed income	672				—				672			—
	Exchange traded funds	64				—				64			—
	Fixed income securities	274				—				274			—
	United States treasuries	63				63				—			—
	Real estate securities	220				214				—			6
	Equity securities	141				141				—			—
	Cash equivalents	187				6				181			—
	Exchange traded funds	47				47				—			—
	Other	98				—				4			94
	Total pension plan assets	$	4,372			$	471			$	3,801		$	100
Fair value of other postretirement benefits plan assets	A summary of the fair value of other postretirement benefits plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, follows:
		Total				Quoted prices				Other			Unobservable
						in active				observable			inputs
						markets for				inputs			(Level 3)
						identical assets				(Level 2)
						(Level 1)
	2014
	Common collective trusts
	Global equities	$	54			$	—			$	54		$	—
	Fixed income securities	24				—				24			—
	United States treasuries	37				37				—			—
	Cash equivalents	1				1				—			—
	Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	$	116			$	38			$	78		$	—
	2013
	Common collective trusts
	Global equities	$	70			$	—			$	70		$	—
	Fixed income securities	29				—				29			—
	United States treasuries	38				38				—			—
	Cash equivalents	1				1				—			—
	Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	$	138			$	39			$	99		$	—
Employer contributions to defined contribution benefit plans, charged to expense	The total contributions related to these plans are charged to expense and were as follows:
	2014	$	141
	2013	121
	2012	74

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Current and long-term warranty accruals	A summary of the current and long-term warranty accruals follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	189		$	185		$	158
	Provision	125			107			85
	Settled	(120		)	(99		)	(84		)
	Other	19			(4		)	26
	Balance at December 31	$	213		$	189		$	185
Future minimum rental commitments for noncancelable operating leases	A summary of minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2014 under noncancelable operating leases, which expire at various dates and in most cases contain renewal options, for each of the next five years and thereafter in the aggregate, follow:
	2015	$	153
	2016	115
	2017	83
	2018	59
	2019	34
	Thereafter	60
	Total noncancelable lease commitments	$	504
Rental expense	A summary of rental expense follows:
	2014	$	244
	2013	241
	2012	199

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Tabl

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income (loss) before income taxes
		Income (loss) before income taxes
		2014				2013				2012
	Ireland	$	(332	)		$	184			$	—
	Foreign	2,093				1,700				1,251
	Total income before income taxes	$	1,761			$	1,884			$	1,251
Income tax (benefit) expense
		Income tax (benefit) expense
		2014				2013				2012
	Current
	Ireland	$	(13	)		$	17			$	—
	United States
	Federal	87				89				1
	State and local	41				7				5
	Foreign - other	239				244				130
	Total current income tax expense	354				357				136
	Deferred
	Ireland	2				—				—
	United States
	Federal	(224		)		(295		)		39
	State and local	(49		)		(23		)		2
	Foreign - other	(125		)		(28		)		(146		)
	Total deferred income tax benefit	(396		)		(346		)		(105		)
	Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	(42	)		$	11			$	31
Reconciliations of income taxes from the appropriate statutory rate	Reconciliations of income taxes from the Ireland national statutory rate of 25% in 2014 and 2013, and the United States federal statutory rate of 35% in 2012, to the consolidated effective income tax rate follow:
		2014			2013			2012
	Income taxes at the applicable statutory rate	25	%		25	%		35	%
	Ireland operations
	Ireland tax on trading income	(0.1	)%		(1.4	)%		—	%
	Nondeductible interest expense	4.8	%		—	%		—	%
	United States operations
	United States (loss) income	(2.8	)%		(2.8	)%		—	%
	Nondeductible goodwill - Aerospace divestitures	1.4	%		—	%		—	%
	Credit for research activities	(1.0	)%		(2.0	)%		—	%
	Other - net	1.5	%		1.3	%		1.8	%
	Other foreign operations
	United States foreign tax credit	(1.1	)%		(1.8	)%		(12.4	)%
	Other foreign operations (earnings taxed at other than	(24.8	)%		(17.6	)%		(14.9	)%
	the applicable statutory tax rate)
	Other foreign operations - other items	(1.0	)%		0.2	%		—	%
	Worldwide operations
	Adjustments to tax liabilities	(1.7	)%		(1.1	)%		(5.7	)%
	Adjustments to valuation allowances	(2.6	)%		0.8	%		(1.3	)%
	Effective income tax (benefit) expense rate	(2.4	)%		0.6	%		2.5	%
Worldwide income tax payments	Worldwide income tax payments follow:
	2014	$	258
	2013	272
	2012	254
Components of current and long-term deferred income taxes	Components of current and long-term deferred income taxes follow:
		2014								2013
		Current				Long-term				Current			Long-term
		assets and				assets and				assets and			assets and
		liabilities				liabilities				liabilities			liabilities
	Accruals and other adjustments
	Employee benefits	$	148			$	773			$	116		$	657
	Depreciation and amortization	—				(2,010		)		(2		)	(2,294		)
	Other accruals and adjustments	476				282				497			368
	United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	—				58				—			—
	United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	—				150				—			161
	United States state and local tax loss carryforwards and	—				76				—			73
	tax credit carryforwards
	Other foreign tax loss carryforwards	—				2,112				—			1,708
	Other foreign income tax credit carryforwards	—				49				—			63
	Valuation allowance for income tax loss and income tax	(24		)		(2,134		)		—			(1,738		)
	credit carryforwards
	Other valuation allowances	(7		)		(29		)		(34		)	(71		)
	Total deferred income taxes	$	593			$	(673	)		$	577		$	(1,073	)
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards and expiration dates	These carryforwards and their respective expiration dates are summarized below:
		2015				2020				2025			2030			2035		Not
		through				through				through			through			through		subject to			Valuation
		2019				2024				2029			2034			2039		expiration			allowance
	United States federal income tax loss	$	—			$	—			$	31		$	4		$	352	$	—		$	—
	carryforwards
	United States federal deferred income tax	—				—				11			1			101		—			(12		)
	assets for income tax loss carryforwards
	United States federal deferred income tax	—				—				11			1			46		—			(12		)
	assets for income tax loss carryforwards
	after ASU 2013-11
	United States federal income tax credit	—				64				38			86			21		32			(69		)
	carryforwards
	United States federal income tax credit	—				64				37			28			21		—			(69		)
	carryforwards after ASU 2013-11
United States state and local tax loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards and expiration dates	The deferred tax assets for these carryforwards and their respective expiration dates are summarized below:
		2015				2020				2025			2030			2035		Not
		through				through				through			through			through		subject to			Valuation
		2019				2024				2029			2034			2039		expiration			allowance
	United States state and local deferred	$	6			$	18			$	12		$	8		$	—	$	—		$	(18	)
	income tax assets for income tax loss
	carryforwards - net of federal tax effect
	United States state and local income tax	10				9				6			2			5		—			(18		)
	credit carryforwards - net of federal
	tax effect
Non-United States subsidiaries tax loss carryforwards and income tax credit carryforwards and expiration dates	These carryforwards and their respective expiration dates are summarized below:
		2015				2020				2025			2030			Not
		through				through				through			through			subject to		Valuation
		2019				2024				2029			2034			expiration		allowance
	Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	$	135			$	165			$	38		$	18		$	9,290	$	—
	Non-United States deferred income tax assets for	35				41				9			5			2,022		(2,033		)
	income tax loss carryforwards
	Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	3				14				24			—			7		(8		)
Summary of gross unrecognized income tax benefits	A summary of gross unrecognized income tax benefits follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance at January 1	$	479			$	444			$	236
	Increases and decreases as a result of positions taken during prior years
	Transfers from valuation allowances	(3		)		13				—
	Other increases	37				7				1
	Other decreases, including currency translation	(3		)		(7		)		—
	Balances related to acquired businesses	(3		)		2				177
	Increases as a result of positions taken during the current year	65				35				36
	Decreases relating to settlements with tax authorities	(51		)		(6		)		—
	Decreases as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	(28		)		(9		)		(6		)
	Balance at December 31	$	493			$	479			$	444

Eaton_Shareholders_Equity_Tabl

Eaton Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the pre-tax and after-tax amounts recognized in Comprehensive income (loss):
		2014							2013						2012
		Pre-tax				After-tax			Pre-tax			After-tax			Pre-tax			After-tax
	Currency translation and related hedging instruments	$	(1,014	)		$	(1,019	)	$	(30	)	$	(28	)	$	144		$	135
	Pensions and other postretirement benefits
	Prior service credit (cost) arising during the year	82				51			(6		)	(4		)	(1		)	(1		)
	Net (loss) gain arising during the year	(718		)		(519		)	456			277			(386		)	(262		)
	Currency translation	56				47			(5		)	(4		)	(15		)	(12		)
	Other	—				(4		)	2			16			(2		)	15
	Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost	168				110			229			144			170			108
	reclassified to earnings
		(412		)		(315		)	676			429			(234		)	(152		)
	Cash flow hedges
	(Loss) gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	(3		)		(2		)	6			3			10			10
	Changes in cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings	(5		)		(3		)	—			—			7			7
	Cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustments	(8		)		(5		)	6			3			17			17
	Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton	$	(1,434	)		$	(1,339	)	$	652		$	404		$	(73	)	$	—
	ordinary shareholders
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:
		Currency translation and related hedging instruments				Pensions and other postretirement benefits			Cash flow			Total
									hedges
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(395	)		$	(1,170	)	$	5		$	(1,560	)
	Other comprehensive loss before	(1,019		)		(425		)	(2		)	(1,446		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other	—				110			(3		)	107
	comprehensive loss
	Net current-period Other comprehensive	(1,019		)		(315		)	(5		)	(1,339		)
	loss
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(1,414	)		$	(1,485	)	$	—		$	(2,899	)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	The reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:
			31-Dec-14				Consolidated Statements of
							Income classification
	Amortization of defined benefit pension and other
	postretirement benefits items
	Actuarial loss and prior service cost		$	(168	)		1
	Tax benefit		58
	Total, net of tax		(110		)
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps		(1		)		Interest expense - net
	Currency exchange contracts		6				Cost of products sold
			5
	Tax expense		(2		)
	Total, net of tax		3
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(107	)
	1 These components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 6 for additional information about defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits items.
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	A summary of the calculation of net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders follows:
	(Shares in millions)	2014				2013			2012
	Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$	1,793			$	1,861		$	1,217
	Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - diluted	476.8				476.7			350.9
	Less dilutive effect of equity-based compensation	2.7				3.2			3.1
	Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic	474.1				473.5			347.8
	Net income per ordinary share
	Diluted	$	3.76			$	3.9		$	3.46
	Basic	3.78				3.93			3.54

EquityBased_Compensation_Equit

Equity-Based Compensation Equity-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity-based compensation
Summary of RSU and RSA activity	A summary of the RSU and RSA activity for 2014 follows:
	(Restricted stock units and awards in millions)	Number of restricted			Weighted-average fair
		stock units and awards			value per unit and award
	Non-vested at January 1	3.4			$	51.37
	Granted	1			71.54
	Vested	(1.4	)		47.69
	Forfeited	(0.2	)		59.01
	Non-vested at December 31	2.8			$	60.11
Information Related to RSUs and RSAs	Information related to RSUs and RSAs follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Pretax expense for RSUs and RSAs	$	81			$	69			$	46
	After-tax expense for RSUs and RSAs	53				45				30
	Fair value of vested RSUs and RSAs	105				82				126
Assumptions used in determining fair value of stock options	A summary of the assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock options follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Expected volatility	34		%		36		%		35		%
	Expected option life in years	5.5				5.5				5.5
	Expected dividend yield	2.4		%		2		%		2		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.7 to 1.5%				1.5 to 0.8%				1.0 to 0.9%
	Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$	19.46			$	17.49			$	14.08
Summary of stock option activity	A summary of stock option activity follows:
	(Options in millions)	Weighted-average				Options			Weighted-average		Aggregate
		exercise price per option							remaining		intrinsic
									contractual life		value
									in years
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	$	43.43			7.9
	Granted	75.25				0.6
	Exercised	37.75				(1.5	)
	Forfeited and canceled	59.33				—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	$	47.3			7			4.3		$	148.9
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$	42.74			5.7			3.3		$	142.7
	Reserved for future grants at December 31, 2014					14.3
Information related to stock options	Information related to stock options follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Pretax expense for stock options	$	12			$	11			$	7
	After-tax expense for stock options	8				7				5
	Proceeds from stock options exercised	54				121				95
	Income tax benefit related to stock options exercised
	Tax benefit classified in operating activities in the Consolidated	4				3				5
	Statements of Cash Flows
	Excess tax benefit classified in financing activities in the	15				22				13
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	55				102				60
	Total fair value of stock options vesting	$	12			$	11			$	7
	Stock options exercised, in millions of options	1.501				3.565				3.099

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used	A summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value, and the fair value measurements used, follows:
		Total			Quoted prices		Other			Unobservable
					in active		observable			inputs
					markets for		inputs			(Level 3)
					identical assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	2014
	Cash	$	781		$	781	$	—		$	—
	Short-term investments	245			245		—			—
	Net derivative contracts	70			—		70			—
	Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by	(74		)	—		(74		)	—
	interest rate swaps - net
	2013
	Cash	$	915		$	915	$	—		$	—
	Short-term investments	794			794		—			—
	Net derivative contracts	(35		)	—		(35		)	—
	Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by	39			—		39			—
	interest rate swaps - net
Summary of carrying value of short-term investments	A summary of the carrying value of short-term investments follows:
		2014			2013
	Time deposits, certificates of deposit and demand deposits with banks	$	113		$	279
	Money market investments	131			512
	Other	1			3
	Total short-term investments	$	245		$	794

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of interest rate swaps	A summary of interest rate swaps outstanding at December 31, 2014, follows:
	Fixed-to-Floating Interest Rate Swaps
	Notional amount			Fixed interest	Floating interest		Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid
				rate received	rate paid
	150			5.30%	4.42%		1 month LIBOR + 4.26%
	650			1.50%	0.59%		1 month LIBOR + 0.43%
	415			5.60%	3.51%		6 month LIBOR + 3.18%
	300			6.95%	5.30%		3 month LIBOR + 5.07%
	25			8.88%	4.18%		6 month LIBOR + 3.84%
	150			3.88%	2.28%		1 month LIBOR + 2.12%
	200			3.47%	1.85%		1 month LIBOR + 1.69%
	1,250			2.75%	0.67%		1 month LIBOR + 0.52%
	200			3.68%	1.23%		1 month LIBOR + 1.07%
	25			7.63%	2.81%		6 month LIBOR + 2.48%
	50			7.65%	2.89%		6 month LIBOR + 2.57%
	25			5.45%	0.60%		6 month LIBOR + 0.28%
Fair value of derivative financial instruments recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	The fair value of derivative financial instruments recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets follows:
		Notional			Other			Other				Other				Other		Type of	Term
		amount			current			noncurrent				current				noncurrent		hedge
					assets			assets				liabilities				liabilities
	December 31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedges
	Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps	$	3,440		$	—		$	84			$	—			$	10	Fair value	2 to 19 years
	Currency exchange contracts	432			8			1				5				3		Cash flow	1 to 36 months
	Commodity contracts	1			—			—				—				—		Cash flow	1 to 12 months
	Total				$	8		$	85			$	5			$	13
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Currency exchange contracts	$	4,447		$	47						$	52						1 to 12 months
	Total				$	47						$	52
	December 31, 2013
	Derivatives designated as hedges
	Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps	$	3,090		$	1		$	36			$	—			$	76	Fair value	3 months
																			to 20 years
	Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps	300			—			—				1				—		Cash flow	6 months
	Currency exchange contracts	393			12			—				3				—		Cash flow	12 to 36 months
	Commodity contracts	1			—			—				—				—		Cash flow	1 to 12 months
	Total				$	13		$	36			$	4			$	76
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Currency exchange contracts	$	4,277		$	22						$	26						1 to 12 months
	Total				$	22						$	26
Impact of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income	The impact of derivative instruments to the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income follow:
		Gain (loss) recognized in						Location of gain (loss)		Gain (loss) reclassified
		other comprehensive						reclassified from		from Accumulated other
		(loss) income						Accumulated other		comprehensive loss
								comprehensive loss
		2014			2013					2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
	Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—		Interest expense - net		$	(1	)		$	(1	)
	Currency exchange contracts	(3		)	6			Cost of products sold		6				2
	Commodity contracts	—			—			Cost of products sold		—				(1		)
	Total	$	(3	)	$	6				$	5			$	—
Amounts recognized in net income	Amounts recognized in net income follow:
		2014			2013
	Derivatives designated as fair value hedges
	Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps	$	113		$	(126	)
	Related long-term debt converted to floating interest	(113		)	126
	rates by interest rate swaps
		$	—		$	—

Accounts_Receivable_and_Invent1

Accounts Receivable and Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable and Inventory [Abstract]
Components of inventory	The components of inventory follow:
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	924		$	955
	Work-in-process	422			428
	Finished goods	1,201			1,115
	Inventory at FIFO	2,547			2,498
	Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	(119		)	(116		)
	Total inventory	$	2,428		$	2,382

Business_Segment_and_Geographi1

Business Segment and Geographic Region Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information - Net sales, Segment operating profit and Corporate
		2014			2013			2012
	Net sales
	Electrical Products	$	7,254		$	7,026		$	3,846
	Electrical Systems and Services	6,457			6,430			3,872
	Hydraulics	2,975			2,981			2,960
	Aerospace	1,860			1,774			1,719
	Vehicle	4,006			3,835			3,914
	Total net sales	$	22,552		$	22,046		$	16,311
	Segment operating profit
	Electrical Products	$	1,184		$	1,090		$	640
	Electrical Systems and Services	843			889			424
	Hydraulics	367			355			369
	Aerospace	273			252			213
	Vehicle	645			592			570
	Total segment operating profit	3,312			3,178			2,216
	Corporate
	Litigation settlements	(644		)	—			—
	Amortization of intangible assets	(431		)	(437		)	(195		)
	Interest expense - net	(227		)	(271		)	(208		)
	Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	(138		)	(183		)	(162		)
	Inventory step-up adjustment	—			(34		)	(42		)
	Other corporate expense - net	(111		)	(369		)	(358		)
	Income before income taxes	1,761			1,884			1,251
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(42		)	11			31
	Net income	1,803			1,873			1,220
	Less net income for noncontrolling interests	(10		)	(12		)	(3		)
	Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$	1,793		$	1,861		$	1,217
Business Segment Information - Acquisition integration charges	Business segment operating profit was reduced by acquisition integration charges as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Electrical Products	$	66		$	44		$	4
	Electrical Systems and Services	51			37			13
	Hydraulics	12			36			16
	Total	$	129		$	117		$	33
Business Segment Information - Identifiable assets, Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment, and Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
		2014			2013			2012
	Identifiable assets
	Electrical Products	$	3,012		$	3,204		$	3,338
	Electrical Systems and Services	2,512			2,683			2,408
	Hydraulics	1,315			1,362			1,426
	Aerospace	832			852			806
	Vehicle	1,668			1,716			1,698
	Total identifiable assets	9,339			9,817			9,676
	Goodwill	13,893			14,495			14,443
	Other intangible assets	6,556			7,186			7,580
	Corporate	3,741			3,993			4,111
	Total assets	$	33,529		$	35,491		$	35,810
	Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment
	Electrical Products	$	170		$	152		$	108
	Electrical Systems and Services	147			113			47
	Hydraulics	79			80			60
	Aerospace	28			29			27
	Vehicle	160			161			148
	Total	584			535			390
	Corporate	48			79			203
	Total expenditures for property, plant and equipment	$	632		$	614		$	593
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
	Electrical Products	$	148		$	151		$	78
	Electrical Systems and Services	90			86			42
	Hydraulics	67			65			61
	Aerospace	28			27			26
	Vehicle	130			133			136
	Total	463			462			343
	Corporate	51			54			38
	Total depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$	514		$	516		$	381
Geographic Region Information - Net sales and long-lived assets	Net sales are measured based on the geographic destination of sales. Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment - net.
		2014			2013			2012
	Net sales
	United States	$	11,701		$	11,092		$	7,789
	Canada	1,113			1,154			918
	Latin America	1,988			2,113			1,588
	Europe	5,074			5,112			3,997
	Asia Pacific	2,676			2,575			2,019
	Total	$	22,552		$	22,046		$	16,311
	Long-lived assets
	United States	$	1,988		$	1,966		$	1,914
	Canada	25			28			33
	Latin America	306			331			346
	Europe	799			856			845
	Asia Pacific	632			652			648
	Total	$	3,750		$	3,833		$	3,786

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Table Text Block]	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
		Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
		Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
		plc
	Net sales	$	—		$	6,990		$	6,885		$	13,521		$	(4,844	)	$	22,552
	Cost of products sold	—			5,519			5,075			9,882			(4,830		)	15,646
	Selling and administrative expense	171			1,246			743			1,650			—			3,810
	Litigation settlements	—			644			—			—			—			644
	Research and development expense	—			240			202			205			—			647
	Interest expense (income) - net	—			225			25			(29		)	6			227
	Other income - net	—			(17		)	(81		)	(85		)	—			(183		)
	Equity in (earnings) loss of	(2,191		)	(674		)	(2,655		)	(302		)	5,822			—
	subsidiaries, net of tax
	Intercompany expense	227			(263		)	855			(819		)	—			—
	(income) - net
	Income before income taxes	1,793			70			2,721			3,019			(5,842		)	1,761
	Income tax (benefit) expense	—			(100		)	76			(11		)	(7		)	(42		)
	Net income	1,793			170			2,645			3,030			(5,835		)	1,803
	Less net income for	—			—			—			(8		)	(2		)	(10		)
	noncontrolling interests
	Net income attributable to	$	1,793		$	170		$	2,645		$	3,022		$	(5,837	)	$	1,793
	Eaton ordinary shareholders
	Other comprehensive loss	(1,339		)	(195		)	(1,367		)	(1,644		)	3,206			(1,339		)
	Total comprehensive income	$	454		$	(25	)	$	1,278		$	1,378		$	(2,631	)	$	454
	(loss) attributable to Eaton
	ordinary shareholders
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
		Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
		Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
		plc
	Net sales	$	—		$	6,695		$	6,421		$	13,579		$	(4,649	)	$	22,046
	Cost of products sold	—			5,227			4,784			10,010			(4,652		)	15,369
	Selling and administrative expense	32			1,400			749			1,705			—			3,886
	Research and development expense	—			255			200			189			—			644
	Interest expense (income) - net	—			271			28			(22		)	(6		)	271
	Other expense (income) - net	—			8			4			(20		)	—			(8		)
	Equity in (earnings) loss of	(2,147		)	(668		)	(2,006		)	(288		)	5,109			—
	subsidiaries, net of tax
	Intercompany expense (income) - net	254			(155		)	(433		)	334			—			—
	Income before income taxes	1,861			357			3,095			1,671			(5,100		)	1,884
	Income tax (benefit) expense	—			(108		)	(90		)	207			2			11
	Net income	1,861			465			3,185			1,464			(5,102		)	1,873
	Less net income for	—			—			—			(9		)	(3		)	(12		)
	noncontrolling interests
	Net income attributable to	$	1,861		$	465		$	3,185		$	1,455		$	(5,105	)	$	1,861
	Eaton ordinary shareholders
	Other comprehensive income	404			219			474			258			(951		)	404
	Total comprehensive income	$	2,265		$	684		$	3,659		$	1,713		$	(6,056	)	$	2,265
	attributable to Eaton
	ordinary shareholders
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
		Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
		Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
		plc
	Net sales	$	—		$	6,680		$	2,849		$	10,346		$	(3,564	)	$	16,311
	Cost of products sold	—			5,115			2,193			7,708			(3,568		)	11,448
	Selling and administrative expense	—			1,307			335			1,252			—			2,894
	Research and development expense	—			230			108			101			—			439
	Interest expense (income) - net	—			229			8			(29		)	—			208
	Other income - net	—			10			48			13			—			71
	Equity in (earnings) loss of	(1,219		)	(236		)	(1,292		)	(123		)	2,870			—
subsidiaries, net of tax
Intercompany expense (income) - net	2			(237		)	42			193			—			—
Income before income taxes	1,217			262			1,407			1,231			(2,866		)	1,251
Income tax expense	—			24			—			6			1			31
Net income	1,217			238			1,407			1,225			(2,867		)	1,220
Less net income for	—			—			—			(3		)	—			(3		)
noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to	$	1,217		$	238		$	1,407		$	1,222		$	(2,867	)	$	1,217
Eaton ordinary shareholders
Other comprehensive (loss) income	—			(27		)	(17		)	82			(38		)	—
Total comprehensive income	$	1,217		$	211		$	1,390		$	1,304		$	(2,905	)	$	1,217
(loss) attributable to Eaton
ordinary shareholders
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
31-Dec-14
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	1		$	173		$	13		$	594		$	—		$	781
Short-term investments	—			—			1			244			—			245
Accounts receivable - net	—			500			955			2,212			—			3,667
Intercompany accounts receivable	2			759			3,820			4,101			(8,682		)	—
Inventory	—			397			637			1,445			(51		)	2,428
Prepaid expenses and other	—			464			171			340			4			979
current assets
Total current assets	3			2,293			5,597			8,936			(8,729		)	8,100
Property, plant and equipment - net	—			972			756			2,022			—			3,750
Other noncurrent assets
Goodwill	—			1,355			6,256			6,282			—			13,893
Other intangible assets	—			196			3,811			2,549			—			6,556
Deferred income taxes	—			889			10			137			(808		)	228
Investment in subsidiaries	26,612			12,179			58,687			9,145			(106,623		)	—
Intercompany loans receivable	—			7,542			2,249			40,635			(50,426		)	—
Other assets	—			533			141			328			—			1,002
Total assets	$	26,615		$	25,959		$	77,507		$	70,034		$	(166,586	)	$	33,529
Liabilities and shareholders’
equity
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	—		$	2
Current portion of long-term debt	—			702			304			2			—			1,008
Accounts payable	—			475			340			1,125			—			1,940
Intercompany accounts payable	117			4,125			3,449			991			(8,682		)	—
Accrued compensation	—			112			59			249			—			420
Other current liabilities	1			674			340			984			(14		)	1,985
Total current liabilities	118			6,088			4,492			3,353			(8,696		)	5,355
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	—			7,079			932			13			—			8,024
Pension liabilities	—			726			183			903			—			1,812
Other postretirement benefits	—			283			136			94			—			513
liabilities
Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,160			549			(808		)	901
Intercompany loans payable	10,711			2,723			36,162			830			(50,426		)	—
Other noncurrent liabilities	—			457			183			445			—			1,085
Total noncurrent liabilities	10,711			11,268			38,756			2,834			(51,234		)	12,335
Shareholders’ equity
Eaton shareholders' equity	15,786			8,603			34,259			63,802			(106,664		)	15,786
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			45			8			53
Total equity	15,786			8,603			34,259			63,847			(106,656		)	15,839
Total liabilities and equity	$	26,615		$	25,959		$	77,507		$	70,034		$	(166,586	)	$	33,529
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
31-Dec-13
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	3		$	51		$	10		$	851		$	—		$	915
Short-term investments	—			—			134			660			—			794
Accounts receivable - net	—			473			922			2,253			—			3,648
Intercompany accounts receivable	5			471			3,369			4,469			(8,314		)	—
Inventory	—			344			609			1,466			(37		)	2,382
Prepaid expenses and other	—			458			175			350			9			992
current assets
Total current assets	8			1,797			5,219			10,049			(8,342		)	8,731
Property, plant and equipment - net	—			982			761			2,090			—			3,833
Other noncurrent assets
Goodwill	—			1,382			6,294			6,819			—			14,495
Other intangible assets	—			211			3,996			2,979			—			7,186
Deferred income taxes	—			839			3			145			(747		)	240
Investment in subsidiaries	24,940			4,743			38,039			1,576			(69,298		)	—
Intercompany loans receivable	—			8,019			2,312			18,822			(29,153		)	—
Other assets	—			450			186			370			—			1,006
Total assets	$	24,948		$	18,423		$	56,810		$	42,850		$	(107,540	)	$	35,491
Liabilities and shareholders’
equity
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	13		$	—		$	13
Current portion of long-term debt	—			552			—			15			—			567
Accounts payable	—			440			380			1,140			—			1,960
Intercompany accounts payable	4			3,734			3,266			1,310			(8,314		)	—
Accrued compensation	—			140			37			284			—			461
Other current liabilities	5			547			400			965			(4		)	1,913
Total current liabilities	9			5,413			4,083			3,727			(8,318		)	4,914
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	—			7,693			1,266			16			(6		)	8,969
Pension liabilities	—			546			131			788			—			1,465
Other postretirement benefits	—			402			171			95			—			668
liabilities
Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,303			757			(747		)	1,313
Intercompany loans payable	8,148			2,113			18,253			639			(29,153		)	—
Other noncurrent liabilities	—			652			161			486			—			1,299
Total noncurrent liabilities	8,148			11,406			21,285			2,781			(29,906		)	13,714
Shareholders’ equity
Eaton shareholders' equity	16,791			1,604			31,442			36,276			(69,322		)	16,791
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			66			6			72
Total equity	16,791			1,604			31,442			36,342			(69,316		)	16,863
Total liabilities and equity	$	24,948		$	18,423		$	56,810		$	42,850		$	(107,540	)	$	35,491
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
31-Dec-14
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Net cash (used in) provided by	$	(93	)	$	(411	)	$	(218	)	$	2,568		$	32		$	1,878
operating activities
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for property,	—			(127		)	(168		)	(337		)	—			(632		)
plant and equipment
Cash received from acquisitions of	—			—			—			2			—			2
businesses, net of cash paid
Sales of short-term investment - net	—			—			133			389			—			522
Investments in affiliates	(753		)	—			—			(753		)	1,506			—
Loans to affiliates	—			(354		)	(162		)	(10,546		)	11,062			—
Repayments of loans from affiliates	—			978			212			8,451			(9,641		)	—
Proceeds from the sales	—			93			175			14			—			282
of businesses
Other - net	—			(47		)	44			(28		)	—			(31		)
Net cash (used in) provided by	(753		)	543			234			(2,808		)	2,927			143
investing activities
Financing activities
Payments on borrowings	—			(553		)	(1		)	(28		)	—			(582		)
Proceeds from borrowings from	2,628			7,599			808			27			(11,062		)	—
affiliates
Payments on borrowings from	(476		)	(6,907		)	(1,875		)	(383		)	9,641			—
affiliates
Capital contribution from affiliates	—			—			753			753			(1,506		)	—
Other intercompany financing	217			(169		)	302			(350		)	—			—
activities
Cash dividends paid	(929		)	—			—			—			—			(929		)
Cash dividends received from	—			—			—			32			(32		)	—
affiliates
Exercise of employee stock	54			—			—			—			—			54
options
(Repurchase) of shares	(650		)	—			—			—			—			(650		)
Excess tax benefit from	—			20			—			—			—			20
equity-based compensation
Other - net	—			—			—			(43		)	—			(43		)
Net cash provided by (used in)	844			(10		)	(13		)	8			(2,959		)	(2,130		)
financing activities
Effect of currency on cash	—			—			—			(25		)	—			(25		)
Total (decrease) increase in cash	(2		)	122			3			(257		)	—			(134		)
Cash at the beginning of the period	3			51			10			851			—			915
Cash at the end of the period	$	1		$	173		$	13		$	594		$	—		$	781
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
31-Dec-13
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Net cash (used in) provided by	$	(17	)	$	860		$	428		$	1,067		$	(53	)	$	2,285
operating activities
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for property,	—			(171		)	(119		)	(324		)	—			(614		)
plant and equipment
Cash paid for acquisitions of	—			—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
businesses, net of cash acquired
Sales (purchases) of short-term	—			25			(95		)	(218		)	—			(288		)
investments - net
Loans to affiliates	—			(535		)	(545		)	(6,215		)	7,295			—
Repayments of loans from affiliates	—			36			626			5,795			(6,457		)	—
Proceeds from the sales	—			—			—			777			—			777
of businesses
Other - net	—			(41		)	(12		)	(15		)	—			(68		)
Net cash (used in)	—			(686		)	(145		)	(209		)	838			(202		)
investing activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	—			—			—			9			—			9
Payments on borrowings	—			(1,048		)	(43		)	(5		)	—			(1,096		)
Proceeds from borrowings from	—			2,395			4,260			640			(7,295		)	—
affiliates
Payments on borrowings from	—			(2,921		)	(2,874		)	(662		)	6,457			—
affiliates
Other intercompany financing	688			1,365			(1,630		)	(423		)	—			—
activities
Cash dividends paid	(796		)	—			—			—			—			(796		)
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	—			—			—			(53		)	53			—
Exercise of employee stock options	121			—			—			—			—			121
Excess tax benefit from equity-based	—			32			—			—			—			32
compensation
Other - net	—			—			—			(6		)	—			(6		)
Net cash provided by (used in)	13			(177		)	(287		)	(500		)	(785		)	(1,736		)
financing activities
Effect of currency on cash	—			—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
Total (decrease) increase in cash	(4		)	(3		)	(4		)	349			—			338
Cash at the beginning of the period	7			54			14			502			—			577
Cash at the end of the period	$	3		$	51		$	10		$	851		$	—		$	915
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
31-Dec-12
	Eaton			Eaton			Guarantors			Other			Consolidating			Total
	Corporation			Corporation						subsidiaries			adjustments
	plc
Net cash (used in) provided by	$	(60	)	$	1,037		$	217		$	487		$	(17	)	$	1,664
operating activities
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for property,	—			(291		)	(73		)	(229		)	—			(593		)
plant and equipment
Cash (paid for) received from	(6,542		)	—			11			(405		)	—			(6,936		)
acquisitions of businesses, net of
cash acquired
Sales of short-term	—			175			210			218			—			603
investments - net
Loans to affiliates	—			(6,693		)	—			(8,054		)	14,747			—
Repayments of loans from affiliates	—			268			—			8,175			(8,443		)	—
Proceeds from the sales of	—			2			—			1			—			3
businesses
Other - net	—			(28		)	2			(23		)	—			(49		)
Net cash (used in) provided by	(6,542		)	(6,567		)	150			(317		)	6,304			(6,972		)
investing activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	—			7,156			—			—			—			7,156
Payments on borrowings	—			(1,306		)	(16		)	(2		)	—			(1,324		)
Payments of financing costs	—			(117		)	—			—			—			(117		)
Proceeds from borrowings from	5			8,054			6,425			263			(14,747		)	—
affiliates
Payments on borrowings from	(5		)	(8,175		)	—			(263		)	8,443			—
affiliates
Other intercompany financing	—			273			(340		)	67			—			—
activities
Cash dividends paid	—			(512		)	—			—			—			(512		)
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	—			—			—			(17		)	17			—
Exercise of employee stock options	25			70			—			—			—			95
Issuance (repurchase) of shares	6,584			—			(6,425		)	—			—			159
Excess tax benefit from equity-based	—			21			—			—			—			21
compensation
Other - net	—			—			—			2			—			2
Net cash provided by (used in)	6,609			5,464			(356		)	50			(6,287		)	5,480
financing activities
Effect of currency on cash	—			—			—			20			—			20
Total increase (decrease) in cash	7			(66		)	11			240			—			192
Cash at the beginning of the period	—			120			3			262			—			385
Cash at the end of the period	$	7		$	54		$	14		$	502		$	—		$	577

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net sales	$22,552	$22,046	$16,311
Number of Eaton employees	102,000
Countries of operation	over 60
Countries where products are sold	175
Minimum [Member]
Investments in associate companies [Line Items]
Equity method of accounting, ownership interest	20.00%
Maximum [Member]
Investments in associate companies [Line Items]
Equity method of accounting, ownership interest	50.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Long-Lived Assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Patents and technology [Member]
Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period for intangible assets	17 years
Customer relationships [Member]
Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period for intangible assets	17 years
Trademarks [Member]
Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period for intangible assets	16 years
Buildings [Member]
Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	40 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	10 years
Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	10 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Equity-Based Compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based compensation, vesting period	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based compensation, vesting period	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based compensation, vesting period	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based compensation, vesting period	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based compensation, vesting period	4 years

Acquisitions_and_Sales_of_Busi2

Acquisitions and Sales of Businesses (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2013	9-May-14	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisitions, combined purchase prices					$13,796,000,000
Purchase price of Cooper						13,192,000,000
Cooper shareholders receipt of cash per ordinary share of Cooper Industries plc						39.15
Cooper shareholder % receipt of one Eaton share for one ordinary share of Cooper Industries plc						77.48%
Former Eaton Corporation shareholders ownership of Eaton after Eaton Corporation's acquisition of Cooper						73.00%
Former Cooper shareholders ownership of Eaton after Eaton Corporation's acquisition of Cooper						27.00%
Sale of Apex to Bain Capital by Cooper and Danaher	1,600,000,000
Aerospace Power Distribution Management Solutions and Integrated Cockpit Solutions businesses [Member] | Aerospace [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Agreement to sell the Aerospace Power Distribution Management Solutions and Integrated Cockpit Solutions businesses to Safran USA Inc.		270,000,000
Gain on sale of businesses, pre-tax		154,000,000
Cooper [Member] | Electrical Systems and Services; Electrical Products [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue reported for last annual period of acquired entity			5,409,000,000
Rolec Comercial e Industrial S.A. [Domain] | Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue reported for last annual period of acquired entity				85,000,000
Jeil Hydraulics Co., Ltd. [Member] | Hydraulics [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue reported for last annual period of acquired entity			189,000,000
Polimer Kaucuk Sanayi ve Pazarlama A.S. [Domain] | Hydraulics [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue reported for last annual period of acquired entity			335,000,000
Gycom Electrical Low-Voltage Power Distribution, Control and Automation [Domain] | Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue reported for last annual period of acquired entity			$24,000,000

Acquisitions_and_Sales_of_Busi3

Acquisitions and Sales of Businesses Fair Value of Consideration Transferred (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2012
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cooper shares	163.6
Cooper shares issued pursuant to conversion of stock options and share units under Cooper equity-based compensation plans	1.8
Total Cooper shares and share equivalents prior to transaction	165.4
Exchange ratio per share	0.77479
Total Eaton shares issued	128.1
Weighted-average Eaton Corporation per share price	$51.91
Total value of Eaton share consideration for purchase of Cooper	6,649,000,000
Total cash consideration paid for Cooper shares and share equivalents	6,474,000,000
Total cash consideration paid for equity-based compensation plans at fair value	69,000,000
Purchase price of Cooper	13,192,000,000
Cooper shareholders receipt of cash per ordinary share of Cooper Industries plc	$39.15

Acquisitions_and_Sales_of_Busi4

Acquisitions and Sales of Businesses Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total consideration	$13,192
Cooper Industries plc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital accounts	2,286	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	273
Property, plant and equipment	845
Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC	800
Intangible assets	5,369
Other assets	65
Debt	-1,221
Accounts payable	-516
Other current liabilities	-879
Other noncurrent liabilities	-2,362
Total identifiable net assets	4,660
Goodwill	8,532
Total consideration	13,192
Acquired receivables, estimated fair value	955
Contingent liabilities assumed	419
Adjustments [Member] | Cooper Industries plc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital accounts	-18	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	69
Property, plant and equipment	-40
Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC	-7
Intangible assets	119
Other assets	30
Debt	0
Accounts payable	3
Other current liabilities	-206
Other noncurrent liabilities	-177
Total identifiable net assets	-227
Goodwill	227
Total consideration	0
November 30, 2012 (as previously reported) [Member] | Cooper Industries plc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital accounts	2,304	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	204
Property, plant and equipment	885
Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC	807
Intangible assets	5,250
Other assets	35
Debt	-1,221
Accounts payable	-519
Other current liabilities	-673
Other noncurrent liabilities	-2,185
Total identifiable net assets	4,887
Goodwill	8,305
Total consideration	$13,192
[1]	Working capital accounts include Cash, Short-term investments, Accounts receivable and Inventory.

Acquisitions_and_Sales_of_Busi5

Acquisitions and Sales of Businesses Actual and Pro Forma Impact (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cooper net sales	$470
Cooper net income	66
Pro forma net sales		21,792
Pro forma net income from continuing operations attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders		$1,695
Pro forma diluted earnings per share from continuing operations		$3.54

Acquisition_Integration_Charge

Acquisition Integration Charges and Transaction Costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquisition Integration Charges and Transaction Costs [Line Items]
Total acquisition integration charges and transaction costs before income taxes	$154	$163	$222
Total acquisition integration charges and transaction costs after income taxes	102	110	167
Per ordinary share - diluted	$0.21	$0.23	$0.48
Acquisition Integration Charges
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	129	117	33
Total acquisition integration charges	154	154	44
Transaction costs [Abstract]
Corporate	0	8	106
Financing fees	0	1	72
Total transaction costs	0	9	178
Electrical Products [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	66	44	4
Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	51	37	13
Hydraulics [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	12	36	16
Total business segments [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	129	117	33
Corporate [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges
Corporate acquisition integration charges	$25	$37	$11

Acquisition_Integration_and_Re2

Acquisition Integration and Restructuring Charges Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$50
Severance costs	34
Other restructuring costs	16
Restructuring reserve, current		84	32
Restructuring activities related to the acquisition and integration of Cooper Industries plc [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		95	36
Severance costs	69
Other restructuring costs	26
Restructuring activities in an effort to gain efficiencies in operations [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		54
Severance costs	48
Other restructuring costs	6
Electrical Products [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	2
Electrical Products [Member] | Restructuring activities related to the acquisition and integration of Cooper Industries plc [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		53	19
Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	2
Electrical Systems and Services [Member] | Restructuring activities related to the acquisition and integration of Cooper Industries plc [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		42	17
Vehicle [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	17
Vehicle [Member] | Restructuring activities in an effort to gain efficiencies in operations [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		32
Hydraulics [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	17
Hydraulics [Member] | Restructuring activities in an effort to gain efficiencies in operations [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		16
Aerospace [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	4
Aerospace [Member] | Restructuring activities in an effort to gain efficiencies in operations [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		2
Corporate [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	8
Corporate [Member] | Restructuring activities in an effort to gain efficiencies in operations [Member]
Acquisition Integration Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		$4

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Goodwill by Segment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$14,495	$14,443
Additions		27
Translation adjustments	-524	25
Goodwill written off from sale of businesses	-78
Goodwill	13,893	14,495
Electrical Products [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	7,189	7,117
Additions		1
Translation adjustments	-249	71
Goodwill written off from sale of businesses	0
Goodwill	6,940	7,189
Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	4,517	4,520
Additions		22
Translation adjustments	-203	-25
Goodwill written off from sale of businesses	0
Goodwill	4,314	4,517
Hydraulics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,385	1,404
Additions		4
Translation adjustments	-58	-23
Goodwill written off from sale of businesses	0
Goodwill	1,327	1,385
Aerospace [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,048	1,045
Additions		0
Translation adjustments	-8	3
Goodwill written off from sale of businesses	-78
Goodwill	962	1,048
Vehicle [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	356	357
Additions		0
Translation adjustments	-6	-1
Goodwill written off from sale of businesses	0
Goodwill	$350	$356

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Other Intangible Assets by Major Class (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of other intangible assets
Intangible assets not subject to amortization - trademarks	$1,844	$1,868
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Historical cost	6,251	6,602
Accumulated amortization	1,539	1,284
Customer relationships [Member]
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Historical cost	3,674	3,859
Accumulated amortization	834	669
Patents and technology [Member]
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Historical cost	1,494	1,588
Accumulated amortization	440	389
Trademarks [Member]
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Historical cost	980	1,052
Accumulated amortization	250	215
Other [Member]
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Historical cost	103	103
Accumulated amortization	$15	$11

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite lived intangible assets amortization expense [Line Items]
2014	$424
2015	410
2016	397
2017	387
2018	367
2019	$360

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Other Intangibles Assets Related to the Acquisition of Cooper (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2012
Customer relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	17 years
Cooper Industries plc [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill		5,369
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Trade names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		3 years
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Trade names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		20 years
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Trade names [Member] | Relief-from-royalty [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles		638
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Customer relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		13 years
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Customer relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		18 years
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Customer relationships [Member] | Multi-period excess earnings [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles		2,510
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		4 years
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		20 years
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Technology [Member] | Relief-from-royalty; Multi-period excess earnings [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles		767
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Contract-based [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		9 years 6 months
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Contract-based [Member] | Relief-from-royalty [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles		44
Cooper Industries plc [Member] | Trade names [Member] | Relief-from-royalty [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets		1,410

Debt_Summary_of_Longterm_Debt_

Debt Summary of Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 20, 2014	Jun. 16, 2014	Nov. 20, 2012
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	$1,008
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	242
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	1,548
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	570
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	339
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and current portion of long term debt	9,032	9,536
Current portion of long-term debt	1,008	567
Long-term debt less current portion	8,024	8,969
Repayments of Debt	582	1,096	1,324
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	0	250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.95%	5.95%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	20-Mar-14	20-Mar-14
Repayments of Debt				250
Notes [Member] | Floating rate notes due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Floating rate notes	0	300
Floating rate notes	floating rate	floating rate
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	16-Jun-14	16-Jun-14
Repayments of Debt					300
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	100	100
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.65%	4.65%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Jun-15	15-Jun-15
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	250	250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.30%	5.30%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Mar-17	15-Mar-17
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	150
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	450	450
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.60%	5.60%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-May-18	15-May-18
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	415
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	300	300
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.95%	6.95%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	20-Mar-19	20-Mar-19
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	300
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	300	300
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.47%	3.47%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	28-Jun-21	28-Jun-21
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	200
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	300	300
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.68%	3.68%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	28-Jun-23	28-Jun-23
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	200
Notes [Member] | Notes due 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	240	240
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.80%	5.80%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Mar-37	15-Mar-37
Notes [Member] | Notes due from 2014 to 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	239	249
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	50
Notes ranging from 5.25% to 12.5%, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	5.25%	5.25%
Notes ranging from 5.25% to 12.5%, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	12.50%	12.50%
Notes maturing from 2014 to 2035, Maturity Date Range, Start	20-Mar-14	20-Mar-14
Notes maturing from 2014 to 2035, Maturity Date Range, End	15-Jun-35	15-Jun-35
Japanese Yen notes [Member] | Japanese Yen notes due 2018 [Member] | Non-derivative net investment hedge [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	84	95
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.22%	4.22%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	17-Dec-18	17-Dec-18
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	600	600
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.95%	0.95%				0.95%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	2-Nov-15	2-Nov-15
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.50%	1.50%				1.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	2-Nov-17	2-Nov-17
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	650
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	1,600	1,600
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.75%	2.75%				2.75%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	2-Nov-22	2-Nov-22
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	1,250
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2032 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	700	700
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.00%	4.00%				4.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	2-Nov-32	2-Nov-32
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.15%	4.15%				4.15%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	2-Nov-42	2-Nov-42
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	300	300
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.45%	5.45%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	1-Apr-15	1-Apr-15
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	240	240
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.38%	2.38%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Jan-16	15-Jan-16
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	289	289
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.10%	6.10%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	1-Jul-17	1-Jul-17
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	239	239
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.88%	3.88%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Dec-20	15-Dec-20
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	150
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	100	100
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.10%	8.10%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Aug-22	15-Aug-22
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	145	145
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.50%	6.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	1-Jun-25	1-Jun-25
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	200	200
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.65%	7.65%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Nov-29	15-Nov-29
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	50
Debenture [Member] | Debentures due 2034 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt debentures	136	136
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.45%	5.45%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Oct-34	15-Oct-34
Related long term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps	25
Other long-term debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other	$220	$153

Debt_Revolving_Credit_Faciliti

Debt Revolving Credit Facilities and Lines of Credit (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Refinanced five-year revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$500,000,000
Revolving credit facility, term	5 years
Refinanced three-year revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	750,000,000
Revolving credit facility, term	3 years
Four-year revolving credit facility, expires October 3, 2018 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	500,000,000
Revolving credit facility, term	4 years
Five-year revolving credit facility, expires October 3, 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	750,000,000
Revolving credit facility, term	5 years
Five-year revolving credit facility, expires June 14, 2017 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		750,000,000
Revolving credit facility, term		5 years
Total long-term revolving credit facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		2,000,000,000
Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		0	0
Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		340,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		155,000,000
Non-United States short-term lines of credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$2,089,000,000

Debt_Senior_Notes_Details

Debt Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 14, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 20, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of senior notes			$4,900
Optional senior note redemption provision - first possibility		100% of principal
Optional senior note redemption provision - second possibility		sum of present value of remaining payments plus basis points ranging from 10 to 25
Senior note control provision		purchase price of 101% of principal plus accrued and unpaid interest
Unregistered Senior Notes exchanged for Senior Notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933	14-Nov-13
Senior Notes, Total capitalized deferred financing fees			40
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes			4,853
Issuance of senior notes			$4,900
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.95%	0.95%	0.95%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.50%	1.50%	1.50%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.75%	2.75%	2.75%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2032 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior notes due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.15%	4.15%	4.15%

Debt_Bridge_Facility_Details

Debt Bridge Facility (Details) (Bridge Facility [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012	21-May-12
Bridge Facility [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Borrowing on Bridge Facility	$1,669,000,000		$1,669,000,000
Bridge facility maximum borrowing capacity				6,750,000,000
Bridge Facility, Maximum Duration	364 days
Deferred finance fees		69,000,000
Amortization of deferred financing fees		$68,000,000

Debt_Interest_Paid_on_Debt_Det

Debt Interest Paid on Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest Paid on Debt [Abstract]
Interest paid on debt	$296	$294	$237

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Obli

Retirement Benefits Plans - Obligations and Funded Status (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Funded status
Fair value of plan assets	$4,621	$4,372
United States pension liabilities [Member]
Funded status
Fair value of plan assets	3,086	2,940	2,607
Benefit obligations	-4,047	-3,625	-3,817
Funded status	-961	-685
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Non-current assets	14	44
Current liabilities	-16	-15
Non-current liabilities	-959	-714
Total	-961	-685
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax)
Net actuarial loss	1,377	1,051
Prior service cost (credit)	5	3
Total	1,382	1,054	1,621
Non-United States pension liabilities [Member]
Funded status
Fair value of plan assets	1,535	1,432	1,248
Benefit obligations	-2,337	-2,127	-2,017
Funded status	-802	-695
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Non-current assets	77	86
Current liabilities	-26	-30
Non-current liabilities	-853	-751
Total	-802	-695
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax)
Net actuarial loss	695	515
Prior service cost (credit)	11	13
Total	706	528	559
Other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Funded status
Fair value of plan assets	116	138	146
Benefit obligations	-676	-867	-950
Funded status	-560	-729
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Non-current assets	0	0
Current liabilities	-47	-61
Non-current liabilities	-513	-668
Total	-560	-729
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax)
Net actuarial loss	176	190
Prior service cost (credit)	-86	-6
Total	$90	$184	$262

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Chan

Retirement Benefits Plans - Change in Benefit Obligations (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States pension liabilities [Member]
Change in benefit obligations
Balance at January 1	$3,625	$3,817
Service cost	117	128	115
Interest cost	162	147	134
Actuarial loss (gain)	470	-223
Gross benefits paid	-329	-246
Currency translation	0	0
Plan amendments	2	2
Other	0	0
Balance at December 31	4,047	3,625	3,817
Accumulated benefit obligation	3,894	3,458
Non-United States pension liabilities [Member]
Change in benefit obligations
Balance at January 1	2,127	2,017
Service cost	66	62	50
Interest cost	85	80	77
Actuarial loss (gain)	355	21
Gross benefits paid	-106	-90
Currency translation	-190	36
Plan amendments	0	4
Other	0	-3
Balance at December 31	2,337	2,127	2,017
Accumulated benefit obligation	2,181	2,003
Other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Change in benefit obligations
Balance at January 1	867	950
Service cost	13	20	17
Interest cost	32	35	38
Actuarial loss (gain)	-36	-54
Gross benefits paid	-91	-103
Currency translation	-4	-2
Plan amendments	-84	0
Other	-21	21
Balance at December 31	$676	$867	$950

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Chan1

Retirement Benefits Plans - Change in Plan Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Change in plan assets
Balance at December 31	$4,621	$4,372
United States pension liabilities [Member]
Change in plan assets
Balance at January 1	2,940	2,607
Actual return on plan assets	226	383
Employer contributions	248	196	311
Gross benefits paid	-329	-246
Currency translation	0	0
Other	1	0
Balance at December 31	3,086	2,940	2,607
Non-United States pension liabilities [Member]
Change in plan assets
Balance at January 1	1,432	1,248
Actual return on plan assets	191	118
Employer contributions	114	145	102
Gross benefits paid	-106	-90
Currency translation	-96	15
Other	0	-4
Balance at December 31	1,535	1,432	1,248
Other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Change in plan assets
Balance at January 1	138	146
Actual return on plan assets	4	15
Employer contributions	40	59
Gross benefits paid	-91	-103
Currency translation	0	0
Other	25	21
Balance at December 31	$116	$138

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Comp

Retirement Benefits Plans - Components of Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
United States pension liabilities [Member]
Components of pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	$3,557	$3,166
Accumulated benefit obligation	3,403	2,999
Fair value of plan assets	2,581	2,437
Non-United States pension liabilities [Member]
Components of pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	1,524	1,411
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,446	1,349
Fair value of plan assets	$673	$635

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Chan2

Retirement Benefits Plans - Changes in Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities Recognized in AOCI (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Prior service cost arising during the year	($82)	$6	$1
Less amounts included in expense during the year	718	-456	386
Net change for the year	0	-2	2
United States pension liabilities [Member]
Changes in pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at January 1	1,054	1,621
Prior service cost arising during the year	2	2
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	490	-381
Currency translation	0	0
Less amounts included in expense during the year	-164	-186
Other	0	-2
Net change for the year	328	-567
Balance at December 31	1,382	1,054
Non-United States pension liabilities [Member]
Changes in pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at January 1	528	559
Prior service cost arising during the year	0	4
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	262	-12
Currency translation	-55	6
Less amounts included in expense during the year	-29	-29
Other	0	0
Net change for the year	178	-31
Balance at December 31	706	528
Other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Changes in pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at January 1	184	262
Prior service cost arising during the year	-84	0
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	-34	-63
Currency translation	-1	-1
Less amounts included in expense during the year	25	-14
Other	0	0
Net change for the year	-94	-78
Balance at December 31	$90	$184

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Bene

Retirement Benefits Plans - Benefits Expense (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States pension plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	$117	$128	$115
Interest cost	162	147	134
Expected return on plan assets	-246	-226	-183
Amortization	93	133	118
Benefit plans	126	182	184
Settlements, curtailments and other	71	53	20
Total expense	197	235	204
Non-United States pension plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	66	62	50
Interest cost	85	80	77
Expected return on plan assets	-98	-85	-77
Amortization	27	27	15
Benefit plans	80	84	65
Settlements, curtailments and other	2	2	4
Total expense	82	86	69
Other postretirement benefits plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	13	20	17
Interest cost	32	35	38
Expected return on plan assets	-6	-6	-6
Amortization	6	14	13
Benefit plans	45	63	62
Settlements, curtailments and other	-31	0	0
Total expense	$14	$63	$62

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Reti

Retirement Benefits Plans Retirement Benefits Plans - Estimated Future Pretax Amounts Recognized From AOCI to Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
United States pension liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Actuarial loss	$168
Prior service cost (credit)	1
Total	169
Non-United States pension liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Actuarial loss	39
Prior service cost (credit)	1
Total	40
Other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Actuarial loss	15
Prior service cost (credit)	-14
Total	$1

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Pens

Retirement Benefits Plans - Pension Plans Assumptions (Details 7)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States pension plans [Member]
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end
Discount rate	3.97%	4.67%	3.97%
Rate of compensation increase	3.16%	3.16%	3.16%
Assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate	4.67%	3.97%	4.70%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	8.40%	8.45%	8.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.16%	3.16%	3.15%
Non-United States pension plans [Member]
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end
Discount rate	3.33%	4.20%	4.17%
Rate of compensation increase	3.13%	3.12%	3.09%
Assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate	4.20%	4.17%	5.12%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	7.00%	6.92%	7.10%
Rate of compensation increase	3.12%	3.09%	3.62%

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Othe

Retirement Benefits Plans - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Assumptions (Details 8) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Effect on total service and interest cost, 1% increase	1
Effect on total service and interest cost, 1% decrease	-1
Effect on other postretirement liabilities, 1% increase	20
Effect on other postretirement liabilities, 1% decrease	-18
Other postretirement benefits plans [Member]
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end
Discount rate	3.79%	4.48%	3.79%
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	6.31%	6.64%	6.96%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.77%	4.77%	4.53%
Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved	2024	2023	2022
Assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate	4.48%	3.79%	4.60%
Initial health care cost trend rate	6.64%	6.96%	7.60%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.77%	4.53%	4.50%
Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved	2023	2022	2020

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Reti1

Retirement Benefits Plans Retirement Benefits Plans - Employer Contributions to Retirement Benefits Plans (Details 9) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States pension plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	$217
Employer contributions to pension plans	248	196	311
Non-United States pension plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	109
Employer contributions to pension plans	114	145	102
Total contributions [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	326
Employer contributions to pension plans	$362	$341	$413

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Esti

Retirement Benefits Plans - Estimated Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Payments (Details 10) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
United States pension plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
2015	$268
2016	281
2017	285
2018	289
2019	297
2020 - 2024	1,544
Non-United States pension plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
2015	92
2016	92
2017	94
2018	98
2019	99
2020 - 2024	542
Other postretirement benefits plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
2015	75
Medicare prescription drug subsidy 2015	-6
2016	71
Medicare prescription drug subsidy 2016	-6
2017	67
Medicare prescription drug subsidy 2017	-6
2018	62
Medicare prescription drug subsidy 2018	-5
2019	56
Medicare prescription drug subsidy 2019	-4
2020 - 2024	226
Medicare prescription drug subsidy 2020 - 2024	($13)

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Fair

Retirement Benefits Plans - Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets (Details 11) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	$4,621	$4,372
United States pension plans percentage of worldwide pension assets	67.00%
United Kingdom pension plans percentage of worldwide pension assets	27.00%
United States pension plans' target allocation of United States equities	32.00%
United States pension plans' target allocation of non-United States equities	32.00%
United States pension plans' target allocation of real estate	8.00%
United State pension plans' target allocation of debt securities	24.00%
United States pension plans' target allocation of other, including hedge funds and cash equivalents	4.00%
United Kingdom pension plans' target allocation of equities	57.00%
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	513	471
Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	3,988	3,801
Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	120	100
Non-United States Equity and Global Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1,458	1,453
Non-United States Equity and Global Equities [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Non-United States Equity and Global Equities [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1,458	1,453
Non-United States Equity and Global Equities [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
United States Equity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1,005	1,153
United States Equity [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
United States Equity [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1,005	1,153
United States Equity [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	646	672
Fixed Income [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Fixed Income [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	646	672
Fixed Income [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Exchange Traded Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	138	64
Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	138	64
Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	398	274
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	398	274
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
United States treasuries [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	106	63
United States treasuries [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	106	63
United States treasuries [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
United States treasuries [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Bank Loans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	128
Bank Loans [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0
Bank Loans [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	128
Bank Loans [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0
Real Estate Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	263	220
Real Estate Securities [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	257	214
Real Estate Securities [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Real Estate Securities [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	6	6
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	92	141
Equity Securities [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	92	141
Equity Securities [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	218	187
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	8	6
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	210	181
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	54
Hedge Funds [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0
Hedge Funds [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0
Hedge Funds [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	54
Exchange Traded Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	50	47
Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	50	47
Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	65	98
Other [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Other [Member] | Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	5	4
Other [Member] | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	$60	$94

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Reti2

Retirement Benefits Plans Retirement Benefits Plans - Fair Value of Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Assets (Details 12) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value of Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Assets [Line Items]
Global equities	$54	$70
Fixed income securities	24	29
United States treasuries	37	38
Cash equivalents	1	1
Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	116	138
VEBA target trust allocation in diversified global equities	50.00%
VEBA target trust allocation in fixed income securities	50.00%
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value of Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Assets [Line Items]
Global equities	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
United States treasuries	37	38
Cash equivalents	1	1
Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	38	39
Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value of Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Assets [Line Items]
Global equities	54	70
Fixed income securities	24	29
United States treasuries	0	0
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	78	99
Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value of Other Postretirement Benefits Plan Assets [Line Items]
Global equities	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
United States treasuries	0	0
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total other postretirement benefits plan assets	$0	$0

Retirement_Benefits_Plans_Reti3

Retirement Benefits Plans Retirement Benefits Plans - Defined Contribution Plans (Details 13) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Contribution Plans [Line Items]
Employer contributions to defined contribution plans	$141	$121	$74

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 16, 2014	Jun. 23, 2014	Jul. 08, 2014	Jun. 18, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	BRL	USD ($)	BRL	USD ($)	USD ($)	Meritor [Member]	Meritor [Member]	Triumph [Member]	Triumph [Member]
								USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Raysul total loss contingency accrual				$31	83
Raysul loss contingency provision		23	60	8	23
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period									500		147.5
Litigation Settlement, Amount								500		147.5
Environmental contingencies
Number of environmental remediation sites world wide				150	150
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies				140		149
Current and long-term warranty accruals [Table]
Balance at January 1				189		185	158
Provision				125		107	85
Settled				-120		-99	-84
Other				19		-4	26
Balance at December 31	185			213		189	185
Product Warranty Accruals - Other, related to the acquisition of Cooper Industries plc	24
Minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases
2015				153
2016				115
2017				83
2018				59
2019				34
Thereafter				60
Total noncancelable lease commitments				504
Summary of Rental Expense
Rental expense				$244		$241	$199

Income_Taxes_Income_Loss_Befor

Income Taxes Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Total income before income taxes	$1,761	$1,884	$1,251
Ireland
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Total income before income taxes	-332	184	0
Foreign
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Total income before income taxes	$2,093	$1,700	$1,251

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Benefi

Income Taxes Income Tax (Benefit) Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Total current income tax expense	$354	$357	$136
Deferred Income Tax Benefit [Abstract]
Total deferred income tax benefit	-396	-346	-105
Income tax (benefit) expense	-42	11	31
Ireland
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Ireland	-13	17	0
Deferred Income Tax Benefit [Abstract]
Ireland	2	0	0
United States - Federal
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
United States - Federal	87	89	1
Deferred Income Tax Benefit [Abstract]
United States - Federal	-224	-295	39
United States - State and local
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
United States - State and local	41	7	5
Deferred Income Tax Benefit [Abstract]
United States - State and local	-49	-23	2
Foreign - other
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Foreign - other	239	244	130
Deferred Income Tax Benefit [Abstract]
Foreign - other	($125)	($28)	($146)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliations_o

Income Taxes Reconciliations of Income Taxes from the Appropriate Statutory Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of income taxes from appropriate statutory rate to the consolidated effective income tax rate [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, at Ireland statutory income tax rate, percent	25.00%	25.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent			35.00%
Income taxes at the applicable statutory rate	25.00%	25.00%	35.00%
Effective income tax (benefit) expense rate	-2.40%	0.60%	2.50%
Ireland operations
Reconciliation of income taxes from appropriate statutory rate to the consolidated effective income tax rate [Line Items]
Ireland tax on trading income	-0.10%	-1.40%	0.00%
Nondeductible interest expense	4.80%	0.00%	0.00%
United States operations [Member]
Reconciliation of income taxes from appropriate statutory rate to the consolidated effective income tax rate [Line Items]
United States (loss) income	-2.80%	-2.80%	0.00%
Nondeductible goodwill - Aerospace divestitures	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%
Credit for research activities	-1.00%	-2.00%	0.00%
Other	1.50%	1.30%	1.80%
Other foreign operations [Member]
Reconciliation of income taxes from appropriate statutory rate to the consolidated effective income tax rate [Line Items]
Other	-1.00%	0.20%	0.00%
United States foreign tax credit	-1.10%	-1.80%	-12.40%
Other foreign operations (earnings taxed at other than the applicable statutory tax rate)	-24.80%	-17.60%	-14.90%
Worldwide Operations [Member]
Reconciliation of income taxes from appropriate statutory rate to the consolidated effective income tax rate [Line Items]
Adjustments to tax liabilities	-1.70%	-1.10%	-5.70%
Adjustments to valuation allowance	-2.60%	0.80%	-1.30%
Effective Income Tax Rate [Member]
Reconciliation of income taxes from appropriate statutory rate to the consolidated effective income tax rate [Line Items]
Effective income tax (benefit) expense rate	-2.40%	0.60%	2.50%

Income_Taxes_Worldwide_Income_

Income Taxes Worldwide Income Tax Payments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Worldwide Income Tax Payments [Line Items]
Income taxes paid	$258	$272	$254

Income_Taxes_Components_of_cur

Income Taxes Components of current and long-term deferred income taxes (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets and liabilities [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals [Abstract]
Employee benefits	$148	$116
Depreciation and amortization	0	-2
Other accruals and adjustments	476	497
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Classification [Abstract]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	0	0
United States federal income tax credit carryforward	0	0
United States state and local tax loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards	0	0
Other foreign tax loss carryforward	0	0
Other foreign income tax credit carryforwards	0	0
Valuation allowance for income tax loss and income tax credit carryforwards	-24	0
Other valuation allowance	-7	-34
Total deferred income taxes	593	577
Long-term assets and liabilities [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals [Abstract]
Employee benefits	773	657
Depreciation and amortization	-2,010	-2,294
Other accruals and adjustments	282	368
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Classification [Abstract]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	58	0
United States federal income tax credit carryforward	150	161
United States state and local tax loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards	76	73
Other foreign tax loss carryforward	2,112	1,708
Other foreign income tax credit carryforwards	49	63
Valuation allowance for income tax loss and income tax credit carryforwards	-2,134	-1,738
Other valuation allowance	-29	-71
Total deferred income taxes	($673)	($1,073)

Income_Taxes_Operating_Loss_an

Income Taxes Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, United States, By Expiration Dates (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
2015 through 2019 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	$0
2015 through 2019 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	0
2015 through 2019 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	0
2015 through 2019 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	0
2015 through 2019 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	0
2020 through 2024 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	0
2020 through 2024 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	64
2020 through 2024 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	64
2020 through 2024 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	0
2020 through 2024 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	0
2025 through 2029 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	31
2025 through 2029 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	38
2025 through 2029 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	37
2025 through 2029 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	11
2025 through 2029 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	11
2030 through 2034 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	4
2030 through 2034 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	86
2030 through 2034 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	28
2030 through 2034 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	1
2030 through 2034 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	1
2035 through 2039 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	352
2035 through 2039 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	21
2035 through 2039 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	21
2035 through 2039 [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	101
2035 through 2039 [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	46
Not subject to expiration [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	0
Not subject to expiration [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	32
Not subject to expiration [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	0
Not subject to expiration [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	0
Not subject to expiration [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	0
Valuation allowance [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax loss carryforwards	0
Valuation allowance [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	-69
Valuation allowance [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal income tax credit carryforwards	-69
Valuation allowance [Member] | Before ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	-12
Valuation allowance [Member] | After ASU 2013-11 [Member]
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carry Forward [Line Items]
United States federal deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	($12)

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Loss_a

Income Taxes Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect, By Expiration Dates (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
2015 through 2019 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States state and local deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards - net of federal tax	$6
2015 through 2019 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States and local income tax credit carryforwards - net of federal tax effect	10
2020 through 2024 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States state and local deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards - net of federal tax	18
2020 through 2024 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States and local income tax credit carryforwards - net of federal tax effect	9
2025 through 2029 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States state and local deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards - net of federal tax	12
2025 through 2029 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States and local income tax credit carryforwards - net of federal tax effect	6
2030 through 2034 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States state and local deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards - net of federal tax	8
2030 through 2034 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States and local income tax credit carryforwards - net of federal tax effect	2
2035 through 2039 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States state and local deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards - net of federal tax	0
2035 through 2039 [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States and local income tax credit carryforwards - net of federal tax effect	5
Not subject to expiration [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States state and local deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards - net of federal tax	0
Not subject to expiration [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States and local income tax credit carryforwards - net of federal tax effect	0
Valuation allowance [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States state and local deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards - net of federal tax	-18
Valuation allowance [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, State and Local, Net of Federal Tax Effect [Line Items]
United States and local income tax credit carryforwards - net of federal tax effect	($18)

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Loss_a1

Income Taxes Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, Non-United States Subsidiaries, By Expiration Dates (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
2015 through 2019 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, Non-United States Subsidiaries, By Expiration Dates [Line Items]
Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	$135
Non-United States deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	35
Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	3
2020 through 2024 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, Non-United States Subsidiaries, By Expiration Dates [Line Items]
Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	165
Non-United States deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	41
Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	14
2025 through 2029 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, Non-United States Subsidiaries, By Expiration Dates [Line Items]
Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	38
Non-United States deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	9
Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	24
2030 through 2034 [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, Non-United States Subsidiaries, By Expiration Dates [Line Items]
Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	18
Non-United States deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	5
Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	0
Not subject to expiration [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, Non-United States Subsidiaries, By Expiration Dates [Line Items]
Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	9,290
Non-United States deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	2,022
Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	7
Valuation allowance [Member]
Income Tax Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, Non-United States Subsidiaries, By Expiration Dates [Line Items]
Non-United States income tax loss carryforwards	0
Non-United States deferred income tax assets for income tax loss carryforwards	-2,033
Non-United States income tax credit carryforwards	($8)

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Gross_

Income Taxes Summary of Gross Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gross Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits [Line Items]
Balance at January 1	$479	$444	$236
Increases and decreases as a result of positions taken during prior years
Transfers from valuation allowances	-3	13	0
Other increases	37	7	1
Other decreases, including currency translation	-3	-7	0
Balances related to acquired businesses	-3	2	177
Increases as a result of positions taken during the current year	65	35	36
Decreases relating to settlements with tax authorities	-51	-6	0
Decreases as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	-28	-9	-6
Balance at December 31	$493	$479	$444

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Text

Income Taxes Income Taxes Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income tax (benefit) expense	($42,000,000)	$11,000,000	$31,000,000
Effective income tax (benefit) expense rate	-2.40%	0.60%	2.50%
Net tax benefit of litigation settlements, related legal costs and gain on sale of the Aerospace businesses	7.60%
Undistributed earnings of United States and other foreign subsidiaries where no provision has been made	12,500,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits netted against deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward under ASU 2013-11	146,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	371,000,000
Income tax examination, penalties and interest accrued	120,000,000	114,000,000
Recoverability of Deferred Income Tax Assets [Abstract]
Number of years of cumulative pretax income in a particular jurisdiction to determine deferred tax assets will not be recognized	P3Y
Number of years of cumulative pretax losses in particular jurisdiction to determine if deferred tax assets can be recognized	P3Y
Number of years estimated to resolve Brazilian tax assessment	10
2011 Notice [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
IRS Statutory Notice of Deficiency proposed assessment of additional taxes	75,000,000
Penalties associated with IRS Statutory Notice of Deficiency proposed assessment	52,000,000
2014 Notice [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
IRS Statutory Notice of Deficiency proposed assessment of additional taxes	190,000,000
Penalties associated with IRS Statutory Notice of Deficiency proposed assessment	72,000,000
2010 Notice [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Brazil tax assessment, plus interest and penalties	64,000,000
2014 Notice [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Brazil tax assessment, plus interest and penalties	$50,000,000

Eaton_Shareholders_Equity_Eato

Eaton Shareholders' Equity Eaton Shareholders' Equity - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Currency translation and related hedging instuments pre-tax	($1,014)	($30)	$144
Currency translation and related hedging instruments after-tax	-1,019	-28	135
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Prior service credit (cost) arising during the year pre-tax	82	-6	-1
Prior service credit (cost) arising during the year after-tax	51	-4	-1
Net (loss) gain arising during the year pre-tax	-718	456	-386
Net (loss) gain arising during the year after-tax	-519	277	-262
Currency translation pre-tax	56	-5	-15
Currency translation after-tax	47	-4	-12
Other pre-tax	0	2	-2
Other after-tax	-4	16	15
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost reclassified to earnings pre-tax	168	229	170
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost reclassified to earnings after-tax	110	144	108
Total pensions and other postretirement benefits included in other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax	-412	676	-234
Total pensions and other postretirement benefits included in other comprehensive income (loss), after-tax	-315	429	-152
Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) Cash Flow Hedges
(Loss) gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges pre-tax	-3	6	10
(Loss) gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges after-tax	-2	3	10
Changes in cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings pre-tax	-5	0	7
Changes in cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings after-tax	-3	0	7
Cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustments pre-tax	-8	6	17
Cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustments after-tax	-5	3	17
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders pre-tax	-1,434	652	-73
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders after-tax	($1,339)	$404	$0

Eaton_Shareholders_Equity_Eato1

Eaton Shareholders' Equity Eaton Shareholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Balance at December 31	($2,899)	($1,560)
Net current-period Other comprehensive loss	-1,339	404	0
Currency translation and related hedging instruments [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Balance at December 31	-1,414	-395
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-1,019
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Net current-period Other comprehensive loss	-1,019
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Balance at December 31	-1,485	-1,170
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-425
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	110
Net current-period Other comprehensive loss	-315
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Balance at December 31	0	5
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-2
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3
Net current-period Other comprehensive loss	-5
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Balance at December 31	-2,899	-1,560
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-1,446
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	107
Net current-period Other comprehensive loss	($1,339)

Eaton_Shareholders_Equity_Eato2

Eaton Shareholders' Equity Eaton Shareholders' Equity - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps	($227)		($271)	($208)
Currency exchange contracts	15,646		15,369	11,448
Gain and losses on cash flow hedges, total reclassifications pre-tax	1,761		1,884	1,251
Tax benefit (expense)	42		-11	-31
Total reclassifications, net of tax	1,793		1,861	1,217
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, net of tax	-107
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] | Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits items [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Actuarial loss and prior service cost	-168	[1]
Tax benefit (expense)	58
Total reclassifications, net of tax	-110
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] | Gains and losses on cash flow hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Gain and losses on cash flow hedges, total reclassifications pre-tax	5
Tax benefit (expense)	-2
Total reclassifications, net of tax	3
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] | Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps [Member] | Gains and losses on cash flow hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps	-1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] | Currency exchange contracts [Member] | Gains and losses on cash flow hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Currency exchange contracts	$6
[1]	These components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 6 for additional information about defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits items.

Eaton_Shareholders_Equity_Eato3

Eaton Shareholders' Equity Eaton Shareholders' Equity - Net Income per Ordinary Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	$1,793	$1,861	$1,217
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - diluted	476.8	476.7	350.9
Less dilutive effect of equity-based compensation	2.7	3.2	3.1
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic	474.1	473.5	347.8
Net income per ordinary share - diluted	$3.76	$3.90	$3.46
Net income per ordinary share - basic	$3.78	$3.93	$3.54

Eaton_Shareholders_Equity_Eato4

Eaton Shareholders' Equity Eaton Shareholders' Equity (Textuals) (Details)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2011	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 22, 2013	Feb. 25, 2015	Mar. 20, 2015
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)		Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
							USD ($)	USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly dividends payable, amount per share								$0.55
Quarterly dividends, per share, declared		$1.96	$1.68	$1.52			$0.55
Shareholders Equity Textuals Abstract
Ordinary shares authorized		750,000,000
Eaton Corporation plc ordinary share par value		$0.01		$0.01
Ordinary shares issued and outstanding		467,900,000	475,100,000
Deferred ordinary shares authorized		40,000
Deferred ordinary shares par value					€ 1
Deferred ordinary shares, shares issued and outstanding		40,000	40,000
Preferred A Shares authorized		10,000
Preferred A Shares par value		$1
Preferred A Shares, Shares Issued		10,000	10,000
Preferred A Shares, Shares Outstanding		10,000	10,000
Serial preferred shares authorized		10,000,000
Serial preferred share par value per share		$0.01
Serial preferred shares, shares issued and outstanding		0	0
Number of holders of record of Eaton ordinary shares		18,993
Number of current and former employees who were shareholders through various Eaton plans		26,059
Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]
2011 Retired Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	20,000,000
2011 share repurchase program, maximum aggregate purchase price of shares authorized	$1,250,000,000
2011 share repurchase progam, shares purchased				0
2013 share repurchase program, number of shares authorized to be repurchased						40,000,000
2013 stock repurchase program, authorized repurchase price as percent of Eaton closing share price, low range						70.00%
2013 stock repurchase program, authorized repurchase price as percent of Eaton closing share price, high range						120.00%
2013 share repurchase program, shares purchased - shares		9,600,000	0
2013 share repurchase program, shares purchased - cost		650,000,000
Employee Trust [Abstract]
Deferred compensation plan trust of shares and marketable secutities		$19,000,000	$24,000,000
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of net income per ordinary share		500,000	200,000	2,200,000

Restricted_Stock_Units_and_Awa

Restricted Stock Units and Awards Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity-based compensation
Compensation expense not yet recognized related to non-vested RSUs and RSAs	$93.90
Weighted average period for total compensation expense not yet recognized	2.3
Excess tax benefit for equity-based compensation	$5	$10	$18
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Non-vested at January 1	3.4
Granted	1
Vested	-1.4
Forfeited	-0.2
Non-vested at December 31	2.8
Non-vested at January 1	$51.37
Granted	$71.54
Vested	$47.69
Forfeited	$59.01
Non-vested at December 31	$60.11

EquityBased_Compensation_Infor

Equity-Based Compensation Information Related to Restricted Stock Units and Awards (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Information Related to RSUs and RSAs [Line Items]
Pretax expense for RSUs and RSAs	$81	$69	$46
After-tax expense for RSUs and RSAs	53	45	30
Fair value of vested RSUs and RSAs	$105	$82	$126

EquityBased_Compensation_Stock

Equity-Based Compensation Stock Options Fair Value Assumptions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options Fair Value Assumptions [Line Items]
Expected volatility	34.00%	36.00%	35.00%
Expected option life in years	5 years 6 months	5 years 6 months	5 years 6 months
Expected dividend yield	2.40%	2.00%	2.00%
Risk-free interest rate minimum	1.50%	0.80%	0.90%
Risk-free interest rate maximum	1.70%	1.50%	1.00%
Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$19.46	$17.49	$14.08
Stock option vesting period	3 years
Stock option expiration date after date of grant	10 years

EquityBased_Compensation_Stock1

Equity-Based Compensation Stock Options Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity-based compensation
Closing price of Eaton ordinary shares on last trading day	$67.96
Weighted-average exercise price per option [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Outstanding at January 1, 2014	$43.43
Granted	$75.25
Exercised	$37.75
Forfeited and cancelled	$59.33
Outstanding at December, 31 2014	$47.30
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$42.74
Stock Options [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Outstanding at January 1, 2014, shares	7.9
Granted, shares	0.6
Exercised, shares	-1.5
Forfeited and cancelled, shares	0
Outstanding at December 31, 2014, shares	7
Exercisable at December 31, 2014, shares	5.7
Reserved for future grants at December 31, 2014, shares	14.3
Weighted-average remaining contractual life in years [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	4 years 4 months
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	3 years 4 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Member]
Equity-based compensation
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	$148.90
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$142.70

EquityBased_Compensation_Infor1

Equity-Based Compensation Information Related to Stock Options (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity-based compensation
Pretax expense for stock options	$12	$11	$7
After-tax expense for stock options	8	7	5
Proceeds from stock options exercised	54	121	95
Income tax benefit related to stock options exercised
Tax benefit classified in operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	4	3	5
Excess tax benefit classified in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	15	22	13
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	55	102	60
Total fair value of stock options vesting	12	11	7
Stock options exercised, shares	1,501	3,565	3,099
Non-vested stock option compensation expense not yet recognized	$14
Non-vested stock options weighted-average period for total compensation expense to be recognized	1 year 10 months

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used
Cash	$781	$915
Short-term investments	245	794
Net derivative contracts	70	-35
Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps - net	-74	39
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used
Cash	781	915
Short-term investments	245	794
Net derivative contracts	0	0
Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps - net	0	0
Other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used
Cash	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Net derivative contracts	70	-35
Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps - net	-74	39
Unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Summary of financial instruments recognized at fair value and fair value measurement used
Cash	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Net derivative contracts	0	0
Long-term debt converted to floating interest rates by interest rate swaps - net	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of carrying value of short-term investments
Time deposits, certificates of deposit and demand deposits with banks	$113	$279
Money market investments	131	512
Other	1	3
Total short-term investments	$245	$794

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V1

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Long-term debt and current portion of long term debt, carrying value	$9,032	$9,536
Long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt, fair value	$9,509	$9,665

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Fixed-to-Floating Interest Rate Swaps (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes due 2017 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	$150
Fixed interest rate received	5.30%
Floating interest rate paid	4.42%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	1 month LIBOR + 4.26%
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	650
Fixed interest rate received	1.50%
Floating interest rate paid	0.59%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	1 month LIBOR + 0.43%
Notes due 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	415
Fixed interest rate received	5.60%
Floating interest rate paid	3.51%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	6 month LIBOR + 3.18%
Notes due 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	300
Fixed interest rate received	6.95%
Floating interest rate paid	5.30%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	3 month LIBOR + 5.07%
Debentures due 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	25
Fixed interest rate received	8.88%
Floating interest rate paid	4.18%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	6 month LIBOR + 3.84%
Debentures due 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	150
Fixed interest rate received	3.88%
Floating interest rate paid	2.28%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	1 month LIBOR + 2.12%
Notes due 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	200
Fixed interest rate received	3.47%
Floating interest rate paid	1.85%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	1 month LIBOR + 1.69%
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	1,250
Fixed interest rate received	2.75%
Floating interest rate paid	0.67%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	1 month LIBOR + 0.52%
Notes due 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	200
Fixed interest rate received	3.68%
Floating interest rate paid	1.23%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	1 month LIBOR + 1.07%
Debentures due 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	25
Fixed interest rate received	7.63%
Floating interest rate paid	2.81%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	6 month LIBOR + 2.48%
Debentures due 2029 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	50
Fixed interest rate received	7.65%
Floating interest rate paid	2.89%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	6 month LIBOR + 2.57%
Debentures due 2034 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	$25
Fixed interest rate received	5.45%
Floating interest rate paid	0.60%
Basis for contracted floating interest rate paid	6 month LIBOR + 0.28%

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	$8	$13
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	47	22
Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	85	36
Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	52	26
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	5	4
Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	13	76
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,440	3,090
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	2 years	3 months
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	19 years	20 years
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps | Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	0	1
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	84	36
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	10	76
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount		300
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range		1 month
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range		6 months
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps | Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument		0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument		0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument		1
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument		0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Currency exchange contracts
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	432	393
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	1 month	12 months
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	36 months	36 months
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Currency exchange contracts | Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	8	12
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Currency exchange contracts | Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	1	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Currency exchange contracts | Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	5	3
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Currency exchange contracts | Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	3	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity contracts
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	1	1
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	1 month	1 month
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	12 months	12 months
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity contracts | Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity contracts | Other noncurrent assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity contracts | Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity contracts | Other noncurrent liabilities [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Currency exchange contracts
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative, Notional Amount	4,447	4,277
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range	1 month	1 month
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range	12 months	12 months
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Currency exchange contracts | Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	47	22
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Currency exchange contracts | Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	$52	$26

Amounts_Recognized_in_Accumula

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Eaton's target percentage of managing intercompany balance sheet exposure	100.00%
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($3)	$6
Gain (loss) reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	5	0
Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps | Interest expense - net [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Gain (loss) reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1	-1
Currency exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3	6
Currency exchange contracts | Cost of products sold [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Gain (loss) reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	6	2
Commodity contracts | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Commodity contracts | Cost of products sold [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Gain (loss) reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$0	($1)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Amounts Recognized in Net income (Details) (Interest expense - net [Member], Fair Value Hedging [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative designated as fair value hedges	$0	$0
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative designated as fair value hedges	113	-126
Related Long Term Debt Converted To Floating Interest Rates By Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative designated as fair value hedges	($113)	$126

Accounts_Receivable_and_Invent2

Accounts Receivable and Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable and Inventory [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$60	$79
Percentage of inventory at FIFO accounted for using the LIFO method	41.00%	45.00%
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	924	955
Work-in-process	422	428
Finished goods	1,201	1,115
Inventory at FIFO	2,547	2,498
Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost	-119	-116
Total inventory	$2,428	$2,382

Business_Segment_and_Geographi2

Business Segment and Geographic Region Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$22,552	$22,046	$16,311
Segment operating profit	3,312	3,178	2,216
Litigation settlements	-644	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	-424
Interest expense - net	-227	-271	-208
Income before income taxes	1,761	1,884	1,251
Income tax (benefit) expense	-42	11	31
Net income	1,803	1,873	1,220
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	-10	-12	-3
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,793	1,861	1,217
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	129	117	33
Total business acquisition transaction costs	0	9	178
Entity-wide revenue, major customer, amount	0	0	0
Electrical Products [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	7,254	7,026	3,846
Segment operating profit	1,184	1,090	640
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	66	44	4
Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	6,457	6,430	3,872
Segment operating profit	843	889	424
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	51	37	13
Hydraulics [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,975	2,981	2,960
Segment operating profit	367	355	369
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	12	36	16
Aerospace [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,860	1,774	1,719
Segment operating profit	273	252	213
Vehicle [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net sales	4,006	3,835	3,914
Segment operating profit	645	592	570
All Segments [Member]
Business Segment Information
Business segment acquisition integration pretax charges	129	117	33
Corporate [Member]
Business Segment Information
Litigation settlements	-644	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	-431	-437	-195
Interest expense - net	-227	-271	-208
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	-138	-183	-162
Inventory step-up adjustment	0	-34	-42
Other corporate expense - net	-111	-369	-358
Corporate acquisition integration charges	$25	$37	$11

Business_Segment_and_Geographi3

Business Segment and Geographic Region Information Business Segment and Geographic Region Information (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$33,529	$35,491	$35,810
Goodwill	13,893	14,495	14,443
Other intangible assets	6,556	7,186	7,580
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	632	614	593
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	514	516	381
Electrical Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	3,012	3,204	3,338
Goodwill	6,940	7,189	7,117
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	170	152	108
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	148	151	78
Electrical Systems and Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	2,512	2,683	2,408
Goodwill	4,314	4,517	4,520
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	147	113	47
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	90	86	42
Hydraulics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	1,315	1,362	1,426
Goodwill	1,327	1,385	1,404
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	79	80	60
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	67	65	61
Aerospace [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	832	852	806
Goodwill	962	1,048	1,045
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	28	29	27
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	28	27	26
Vehicle [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	1,668	1,716	1,698
Goodwill	350	356	357
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	160	161	148
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	130	133	136
All Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	9,339	9,817	9,676
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	584	535	390
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	463	462	343
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	3,741	3,993	4,111
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	48	79	203
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$51	$54	$38

Business_Segment_and_Geographi4

Business Segment and Geographic Region Information Business Segment and Geographic Region Information (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$22,552	$22,046	$16,311
Net property, plant and equipment	3,750	3,833	3,786
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	11,701	11,092	7,789
Net property, plant and equipment	1,988	1,966	1,914
Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,113	1,154	918
Net property, plant and equipment	25	28	33
Latin America [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,988	2,113	1,588
Net property, plant and equipment	306	331	346
Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	5,074	5,112	3,997
Net property, plant and equipment	799	856	845
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	2,676	2,575	2,019
Net property, plant and equipment	$632	$652	$648

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$22,552	$22,046	$16,311
Cost of products sold	15,646	15,369	11,448
Selling and administrative expense	3,810	3,886	2,894
Litigation settlements	644	0	0
Research and development expense	647	644	439
Interest expense (income) - net	227	271	208
Other expense (income) - net	-183	-8	71
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0	0
Intercompany expense (income) - net	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	1,761	1,884	1,251
Income tax (benefit) expense	-42	11	31
Net income	1,803	1,873	1,220
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	-10	-12	-3
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,793	1,861	1,217
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-1,339	404	0
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	454	2,265	1,217
Eaton Corporation plc [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0
Cost of products sold	0	0	0
Selling and administrative expense	171	32	0
Litigation settlements	0
Research and development expense	0	0	0
Interest expense (income) - net	0	0	0
Other expense (income) - net	0	0	0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax	-2,191	-2,147	-1,219
Intercompany expense (income) - net	227	254	2
Income before income taxes	1,793	1,861	1,217
Income tax (benefit) expense	0	0	0
Net income	1,793	1,861	1,217
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,793	1,861	1,217
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-1,339	404	0
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	454	2,265	1,217
Eaton Corporation [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	6,990	6,695	6,680
Cost of products sold	5,519	5,227	5,115
Selling and administrative expense	1,246	1,400	1,307
Litigation settlements	644
Research and development expense	240	255	230
Interest expense (income) - net	225	271	229
Other expense (income) - net	-17	8	10
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax	-674	-668	-236
Intercompany expense (income) - net	-263	-155	-237
Income before income taxes	70	357	262
Income tax (benefit) expense	-100	-108	24
Net income	170	465	238
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	170	465	238
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-195	219	-27
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-25	684	211
Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	6,885	6,421	2,849
Cost of products sold	5,075	4,784	2,193
Selling and administrative expense	743	749	335
Litigation settlements	0
Research and development expense	202	200	108
Interest expense (income) - net	25	28	8
Other expense (income) - net	-81	4	48
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax	-2,655	-2,006	-1,292
Intercompany expense (income) - net	855	-433	42
Income before income taxes	2,721	3,095	1,407
Income tax (benefit) expense	76	-90	0
Net income	2,645	3,185	1,407
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	2,645	3,185	1,407
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-1,367	474	-17
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,278	3,659	1,390
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	13,521	13,579	10,346
Cost of products sold	9,882	10,010	7,708
Selling and administrative expense	1,650	1,705	1,252
Litigation settlements	0
Research and development expense	205	189	101
Interest expense (income) - net	-29	-22	-29
Other expense (income) - net	-85	-20	13
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax	-302	-288	-123
Intercompany expense (income) - net	-819	334	193
Income before income taxes	3,019	1,671	1,231
Income tax (benefit) expense	-11	207	6
Net income	3,030	1,464	1,225
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	-8	-9	-3
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	3,022	1,455	1,222
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-1,644	258	82
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	1,378	1,713	1,304
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	-4,844	-4,649	-3,564
Cost of products sold	-4,830	-4,652	-3,568
Selling and administrative expense	0	0	0
Litigation settlements	0
Research and development expense	0	0	0
Interest expense (income) - net	6	-6	0
Other expense (income) - net	0	0	0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries, net of tax	5,822	5,109	2,870
Intercompany expense (income) - net	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	-5,842	-5,100	-2,866
Income tax (benefit) expense	-7	2	1
Net income	-5,835	-5,102	-2,867
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	-2	-3	0
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	-5,837	-5,105	-2,867
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	3,206	-951	-38
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders	($2,631)	($6,056)	($2,905)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 20, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash	$781	$915	$577		$385
Short-term investments	245	794
Accounts receivable - net	3,667	3,648
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0
Inventory	2,428	2,382
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	979	992
Total current assets	8,100	8,731
Property, plant and equipment - net	3,750	3,833	3,786
Goodwill	13,893	14,495	14,443
Other intangible assets	6,556	7,186	7,580
Deferred income taxes	228	240
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany loans receivable	0	0
Other assets	1,002	1,006
Total assets	33,529	35,491	35,810
Short-term debt	2	13
Current portion of long-term debt	1,008	567
Accounts payable	1,940	1,960
Intercompany accounts payable	0	0
Accrued compensation	420	461
Other current liabilities	1,985	1,913
Total current liabilities	5,355	4,914
Long-term debt	8,024	8,969
Pension liabilities	1,812	1,465
Other postretirement benefits liabilities	513	668
Deferred income taxes	901	1,313
Intercompany loans payable	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,085	1,299
Total noncurrent liabilities	12,335	13,714
Eaton shareholders' equity	15,786	16,791
Noncontrolling interests	53	72
Total equity	15,839	16,863	15,178		7,492
Total liabilities and equity	33,529	35,491
Issuance of senior notes				4,900
Eaton and certain other of Eaton's principal 100% owned subsidiaries full and unconditional guarantee of the Senior Notes, on a joint and several basis				100.00%
Eaton Corporation plc [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash	1	3	7		0
Short-term investments	0	0
Accounts receivable - net	0	0
Intercompany accounts receivable	2	5
Inventory	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	3	8
Property, plant and equipment - net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	26,612	24,940
Intercompany loans receivable	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	26,615	24,948
Short-term debt	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Intercompany accounts payable	117	4
Accrued compensation	0	0
Other current liabilities	1	5
Total current liabilities	118	9
Long-term debt	0	0
Pension liabilities	0	0
Other postretirement benefits liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Intercompany loans payable	10,711	8,148
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Total noncurrent liabilities	10,711	8,148
Eaton shareholders' equity	15,786	16,791
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	15,786	16,791
Total liabilities and equity	26,615	24,948
Eaton Corporation [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash	173	51	54		120
Short-term investments	0	0
Accounts receivable - net	500	473
Intercompany accounts receivable	759	471
Inventory	397	344
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	464	458
Total current assets	2,293	1,797
Property, plant and equipment - net	972	982
Goodwill	1,355	1,382
Other intangible assets	196	211
Deferred income taxes	889	839
Investment in subsidiaries	12,179	4,743
Intercompany loans receivable	7,542	8,019
Other assets	533	450
Total assets	25,959	18,423
Short-term debt	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	702	552
Accounts payable	475	440
Intercompany accounts payable	4,125	3,734
Accrued compensation	112	140
Other current liabilities	674	547
Total current liabilities	6,088	5,413
Long-term debt	7,079	7,693
Pension liabilities	726	546
Other postretirement benefits liabilities	283	402
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Intercompany loans payable	2,723	2,113
Other noncurrent liabilities	457	652
Total noncurrent liabilities	11,268	11,406
Eaton shareholders' equity	8,603	1,604
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	8,603	1,604
Total liabilities and equity	25,959	18,423
Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash	13	10	14		3
Short-term investments	1	134
Accounts receivable - net	955	922
Intercompany accounts receivable	3,820	3,369
Inventory	637	609
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	171	175
Total current assets	5,597	5,219
Property, plant and equipment - net	756	761
Goodwill	6,256	6,294
Other intangible assets	3,811	3,996
Deferred income taxes	10	3
Investment in subsidiaries	58,687	38,039
Intercompany loans receivable	2,249	2,312
Other assets	141	186
Total assets	77,507	56,810
Short-term debt	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	304	0
Accounts payable	340	380
Intercompany accounts payable	3,449	3,266
Accrued compensation	59	37
Other current liabilities	340	400
Total current liabilities	4,492	4,083
Long-term debt	932	1,266
Pension liabilities	183	131
Other postretirement benefits liabilities	136	171
Deferred income taxes	1,160	1,303
Intercompany loans payable	36,162	18,253
Other noncurrent liabilities	183	161
Total noncurrent liabilities	38,756	21,285
Eaton shareholders' equity	34,259	31,442
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	34,259	31,442
Total liabilities and equity	77,507	56,810
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash	594	851	502		262
Short-term investments	244	660
Accounts receivable - net	2,212	2,253
Intercompany accounts receivable	4,101	4,469
Inventory	1,445	1,466
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	340	350
Total current assets	8,936	10,049
Property, plant and equipment - net	2,022	2,090
Goodwill	6,282	6,819
Other intangible assets	2,549	2,979
Deferred income taxes	137	145
Investment in subsidiaries	9,145	1,576
Intercompany loans receivable	40,635	18,822
Other assets	328	370
Total assets	70,034	42,850
Short-term debt	2	13
Current portion of long-term debt	2	15
Accounts payable	1,125	1,140
Intercompany accounts payable	991	1,310
Accrued compensation	249	284
Other current liabilities	984	965
Total current liabilities	3,353	3,727
Long-term debt	13	16
Pension liabilities	903	788
Other postretirement benefits liabilities	94	95
Deferred income taxes	549	757
Intercompany loans payable	830	639
Other noncurrent liabilities	445	486
Total noncurrent liabilities	2,834	2,781
Eaton shareholders' equity	63,802	36,276
Noncontrolling interests	45	66
Total equity	63,847	36,342
Total liabilities and equity	70,034	42,850
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash	0	0	0		0
Short-term investments	0	0
Accounts receivable - net	0	0
Intercompany accounts receivable	-8,682	-8,314
Inventory	-51	-37
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4	9
Total current assets	-8,729	-8,342
Property, plant and equipment - net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-808	-747
Investment in subsidiaries	-106,623	-69,298
Intercompany loans receivable	-50,426	-29,153
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	-166,586	-107,540
Short-term debt	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Intercompany accounts payable	-8,682	-8,314
Accrued compensation	0	0
Other current liabilities	-14	-4
Total current liabilities	-8,696	-8,318
Long-term debt	0	-6
Pension liabilities	0	0
Other postretirement benefits liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-808	-747
Intercompany loans payable	-50,426	-29,153
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Total noncurrent liabilities	-51,234	-29,906
Eaton shareholders' equity	-106,664	-69,322
Noncontrolling interests	8	6
Total equity	-106,656	-69,316
Total liabilities and equity	($166,586)	($107,540)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$1,878	$2,285	$1,664
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-632	-614	-593
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	2	-9	-6,936
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments - net	522	-288	603
Investment in affiliates	0
Loans to affiliates	0	0	0
Repayments of loans from affiliates	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses	282	777	3
Other - net	-31	-68	-49
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	143	-202	-6,972
Proceeds from borrowings	0	9	7,156
Payments on borrowings	-582	-1,096	-1,324
Payments of financing costs	0	0	-117
Proceeds from borrowings from affiliates	0	0	0
Payments on borrowings from affiliates	0	0	0
Capital contribution from affiliates	0
Other intercompany financing activities	0	0	0
Cash dividends paid	-929	-796	-512
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	0	0	0
Exercise of employee stock options	54	121	95
(Repurchase) issuance of shares	-650	0	159
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	20	32	21
Other - net	-43	-6	2
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-2,130	-1,736	5,480
Effect of currency on cash	-25	-9	20
Total (decrease) increase in cash	-134	338	192
Cash at the beginning of the period	915	577	385
Cash at the end of the period	781	915	577
Eaton Corporation plc [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-93	-17	-60
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	0	0	0
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	-6,542
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments - net	0	0	0
Investment in affiliates	-753
Loans to affiliates	0	0	0
Repayments of loans from affiliates	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses	0	0	0
Other - net	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-753	0	-6,542
Proceeds from borrowings		0	0
Payments on borrowings	0	0	0
Payments of financing costs			0
Proceeds from borrowings from affiliates	2,628	0	5
Payments on borrowings from affiliates	-476	0	-5
Capital contribution from affiliates	0
Other intercompany financing activities	217	688	0
Cash dividends paid	-929	-796	0
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	0	0	0
Exercise of employee stock options	54	121	25
(Repurchase) issuance of shares	-650		6,584
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	0	0	0
Other - net	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	844	13	6,609
Effect of currency on cash	0	0	0
Total (decrease) increase in cash	-2	-4	7
Cash at the beginning of the period	3	7	0
Cash at the end of the period	1	3	7
Eaton Corporation [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-411	860	1,037
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-127	-171	-291
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments - net	0	25	175
Investment in affiliates	0
Loans to affiliates	-354	-535	-6,693
Repayments of loans from affiliates	978	36	268
Proceeds from sale of businesses	93	0	2
Other - net	-47	-41	-28
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	543	-686	-6,567
Proceeds from borrowings		0	7,156
Payments on borrowings	-553	-1,048	-1,306
Payments of financing costs			-117
Proceeds from borrowings from affiliates	7,599	2,395	8,054
Payments on borrowings from affiliates	-6,907	-2,921	-8,175
Capital contribution from affiliates	0
Other intercompany financing activities	-169	1,365	273
Cash dividends paid	0	0	-512
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	0	0	0
Exercise of employee stock options	0	0	70
(Repurchase) issuance of shares	0		0
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	20	32	21
Other - net	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-10	-177	5,464
Effect of currency on cash	0	0	0
Total (decrease) increase in cash	122	-3	-66
Cash at the beginning of the period	51	54	120
Cash at the end of the period	173	51	54
Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-218	428	217
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-168	-119	-73
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	11
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments - net	133	-95	210
Investment in affiliates	0
Loans to affiliates	-162	-545	0
Repayments of loans from affiliates	212	626	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses	175	0	0
Other - net	44	-12	2
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	234	-145	150
Proceeds from borrowings		0	0
Payments on borrowings	-1	-43	-16
Payments of financing costs			0
Proceeds from borrowings from affiliates	808	4,260	6,425
Payments on borrowings from affiliates	-1,875	-2,874	0
Capital contribution from affiliates	753
Other intercompany financing activities	302	-1,630	-340
Cash dividends paid	0	0	0
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	0	0	0
Exercise of employee stock options	0	0	0
(Repurchase) issuance of shares	0		-6,425
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	0	0	0
Other - net	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-13	-287	-356
Effect of currency on cash	0	0	0
Total (decrease) increase in cash	3	-4	11
Cash at the beginning of the period	10	14	3
Cash at the end of the period	13	10	14
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	2,568	1,067	487
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-337	-324	-229
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	2	-9	-405
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments - net	389	-218	218
Investment in affiliates	-753
Loans to affiliates	-10,546	-6,215	-8,054
Repayments of loans from affiliates	8,451	5,795	8,175
Proceeds from sale of businesses	14	777	1
Other - net	-28	-15	-23
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-2,808	-209	-317
Proceeds from borrowings		9	0
Payments on borrowings	-28	-5	-2
Payments of financing costs			0
Proceeds from borrowings from affiliates	27	640	263
Payments on borrowings from affiliates	-383	-662	-263
Capital contribution from affiliates	753
Other intercompany financing activities	-350	-423	67
Cash dividends paid	0	0	0
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	32	-53	-17
Exercise of employee stock options	0	0	0
(Repurchase) issuance of shares	0		0
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	0	0	0
Other - net	-43	-6	2
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8	-500	50
Effect of currency on cash	-25	-9	20
Total (decrease) increase in cash	-257	349	240
Cash at the beginning of the period	851	502	262
Cash at the end of the period	594	851	502
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Line Items]
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	32	-53	-17
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	0	0	0
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments - net	0	0	0
Investment in affiliates	1,506
Loans to affiliates	11,062	7,295	14,747
Repayments of loans from affiliates	-9,641	-6,457	-8,443
Proceeds from sale of businesses	0	0	0
Other - net	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,927	838	6,304
Proceeds from borrowings		0	0
Payments on borrowings	0	0	0
Payments of financing costs			0
Proceeds from borrowings from affiliates	-11,062	-7,295	-14,747
Payments on borrowings from affiliates	9,641	6,457	8,443
Capital contribution from affiliates	-1,506
Other intercompany financing activities	0	0	0
Cash dividends paid	0	0	0
Cash dividends paid to affiliates	-32	53	17
Exercise of employee stock options	0	0	0
(Repurchase) issuance of shares	0		0
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation	0	0	0
Other - net	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-2,959	-785	-6,287
Effect of currency on cash	0	0	0
Total (decrease) increase in cash	0	0	0
Cash at the beginning of the period	0	0	0
Cash at the end of the period	$0	$0	$0