| Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] | Period [Axis] |
|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31 |
|---|
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Obligations and funded status | Obligations and Funded Status | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | United States pension liabilities | | Non-United States pension liabilities | | Other postretirement liabilities | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Funded status | | | | | | | | | | | | Fair value of plan assets | $ | 2,969 |
| | $ | 2,934 |
| | $ | 1,478 |
| | $ | 1,472 |
| | $ | 74 |
| | $ | 93 |
| Benefit obligations | (3,771 | ) | | (3,829 | ) | | (2,314 | ) | | (2,175 | ) | | (473 | ) | | (575 | ) | Funded status | $ | (802 | ) | | $ | (895 | ) | | $ | (836 | ) | | $ | (703 | ) | | $ | (399 | ) | | $ | (482 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | | | | | | | | | | | Non-current assets | $ | 34 |
| | $ | 11 |
| | $ | 33 |
| | $ | 57 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| Current liabilities | (24 | ) | | (57 | ) | | (22 | ) | | (23 | ) | | (31 | ) | | (42 | ) | Non-current liabilities | (812 | ) | | (849 | ) | | (847 | ) | | (737 | ) | | (368 | ) | | (440 | ) | Total | $ | (802 | ) | | $ | (895 | ) | | $ | (836 | ) | | $ | (703 | ) | | $ | (399 | ) | | $ | (482 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax) | | | | | | | | | | | | Net actuarial loss | $ | 1,232 |
| | $ | 1,322 |
| | $ | 771 |
| | $ | 644 |
| | $ | 21 |
| | $ | 95 |
| Prior service cost (credit) | 3 |
| | 5 |
| | 8 |
| | 9 |
| | (60 | ) | | (74 | ) | Total | $ | 1,235 |
| | $ | 1,327 |
| | $ | 779 |
| | $ | 653 |
| | $ | (39 | ) | | $ | 21 |
|
|
Change in benefit obligations | Change in Benefit Obligations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | United States pension liabilities | | Non-United States pension liabilities | | Other postretirement liabilities | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Balance at January 1 | $ | 3,829 |
| | $ | 4,047 |
| | $ | 2,175 |
| | $ | 2,337 |
| | $ | 575 |
| | $ | 676 |
| Service cost | 111 |
| | 123 |
| | 63 |
| | 71 |
| | 4 |
| | 6 |
| Interest cost | 125 |
| | 156 |
| | 62 |
| | 72 |
| | 17 |
| | 24 |
| Actuarial (gain) loss | 52 |
| | (179 | ) | | 355 |
| | (23 | ) | | (72 | ) | | (66 | ) | Gross benefits paid | (346 | ) | | (318 | ) | | (94 | ) | | (100 | ) | | (79 | ) | | (86 | ) | Currency translation | — |
| | — |
| | (245 | ) | | (182 | ) | | 1 |
| | (8 | ) | Plan amendments | — |
|
| — |
|
| 2 |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| (1 | ) | Other | — |
| | — |
| | (4 | ) | | — |
| | 27 |
| | 30 |
| Balance at December 31 | $ | 3,771 |
| | $ | 3,829 |
| | $ | 2,314 |
| | $ | 2,175 |
| | $ | 473 |
| | $ | 575 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 3,620 |
| | $ | 3,672 |
| | $ | 2,189 |
| | $ | 2,049 |
| | | | |
|
Change in plan assets | Change in Plan Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | United States pension liabilities | | Non-United States pension liabilities | | Other postretirement liabilities | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Balance at January 1 | $ | 2,934 |
| | $ | 3,086 |
| | $ | 1,472 |
| | $ | 1,535 |
| | $ | 93 |
| | $ | 116 |
| Actual return on plan assets | 221 |
| | (55 | ) | | 212 |
| | 29 |
| | 3 |
| | 1 |
| Employer contributions | 160 |
| | 221 |
| | 102 |
| | 109 |
| | 30 |
| | 31 |
| Gross benefits paid | (346 | ) | | (318 | ) | | (94 | ) | | (100 | ) | | (79 | ) | | (86 | ) | Currency translation | — |
| | — |
| | (211 | ) | | (101 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| Other | — |
| | — |
| | (3 | ) | | — |
| | 27 |
| | 31 |
| Balance at December 31 | $ | 2,969 |
| | $ | 2,934 |
| | $ | 1,478 |
| | $ | 1,472 |
| | $ | 74 |
| | $ | 93 |
|
|
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 pension liabilities | | Non-United States pension liabilities | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Projected benefit obligation | $ | 3,342 |
| | $ | 3,376 |
| | $ | 1,902 |
| | $ | 1,387 |
| Accumulated benefit obligation | 3,190 |
| | 3,219 |
| | 1,824 |
| | 1,328 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 2,505 |
| | 2,470 |
| | 1,066 |
| | 650 |
|
|
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 pension liabilities | | Non-United States pension liabilities | | Other postretirement liabilities | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Balance at January 1 | $ | 1,327 |
| | $ | 1,382 |
| | $ | 653 |
| | $ | 706 |
| | $ | 21 |
| | $ | 90 |
| Prior service cost arising during the year | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1 | ) | Net loss (gain) arising during the year | 81 |
| | 138 |
| | 235 |
| | 47 |
| | (69 | ) | | (62 | ) | Currency translation | — |
| | — |
| | (75 | ) | | (58 | ) | | 1 |
| | (4 | ) | Less amounts included in expense during the year | (173 | ) | | (193 | ) | | (36 | ) | | (42 | ) | | 8 |
| | (2 | ) | Net change for the year | (92 | ) | | (55 | ) | | 126 |
| | (53 | ) | | (60 | ) | | (69 | ) | Balance at December 31 | $ | 1,235 |
| | $ | 1,327 |
| | $ | 779 |
| | $ | 653 |
| | $ | (39 | ) | | $ | 21 |
|
|
Benefits expense | Benefits Expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | United States pension benefit expense | | Non-United States pension benefit expense | | Other postretirement benefits expense | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | Service cost | $ | 111 |
| | $ | 123 |
| | $ | 117 |
| | $ | 63 |
| | $ | 71 |
| | $ | 66 |
| | $ | 4 |
| | $ | 6 |
| | $ | 13 |
| Interest cost | 125 |
| | 156 |
| | 162 |
| | 62 |
| | 72 |
| | 85 |
| | 17 |
| | 24 |
| | 32 |
| Expected return on plan assets | (250 | ) | | (262 | ) | | (246 | ) | | (92 | ) | | (99 | ) | | (98 | ) | | (6 | ) | | (5 | ) | | (6 | ) | Amortization | 92 |
| | 119 |
| | 93 |
| | 33 |
| | 40 |
| | 27 |
| | (9 | ) | | 2 |
| | 6 |
| | 78 |
| | 136 |
| | 126 |
| | 66 |
| | 84 |
| | 80 |
| | 6 |
| | 27 |
| | 45 |
| Settlements, curtailments and other | 81 |
| | 74 |
| | 71 |
| | 3 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | (31 | ) | Total expense | $ | 159 |
| | $ | 210 |
| | $ | 197 |
| | $ | 69 |
| | $ | 86 |
| | $ | 82 |
| | $ | 7 |
| | $ | 27 |
| | $ | 14 |
|
|
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 2017 follow: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | United States pension liabilities | | Non-United States pension liabilities | | Other postretirement liabilities | Actuarial loss | $ | 142 |
| | $ | 54 |
| | $ | 2 |
| Prior service cost (credit) | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | (14 | ) | Total | $ | 143 |
| | $ | 55 |
| | $ | (12 | ) |
|
Assumptions used to determine other postretirement obligations and expense | Pension Plans | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | United States pension plans | | Non-United States pension plans | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end | | | | | | | | | | | | Discount rate | 4.12 | % | | 4.22 | % | | 3.97 | % | | 2.63 | % | | 3.46 | % | | 3.33 | % | Rate of compensation increase | 3.15 | % | | 3.18 | % | | 3.16 | % | | 3.13 | % | | 3.12 | % | | 3.13 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | Assumptions used to determine expense | | | | | | | | | | | | Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation | 4.22 | % | | 3.97 | % | | 4.67 | % | | 3.46 | % | | 3.33 | % | | 4.20 | % | Discount rate used to determine service cost | 4.35 | % | | 3.97 | % | | 4.67 | % | | 4.13 | % | | 3.33 | % | | 4.20 | % | Discount rate used to determine interest cost | 3.42 | % | | 3.97 | % | | 4.67 | % | | 3.07 | % | | 3.33 | % | | 4.20 | % | Expected long-term return on plan assets | 8.50 | % | | 8.50 | % | | 8.40 | % | | 6.62 | % | | 6.92 | % | | 7.00 | % | Rate of compensation increase | 3.18 | % | | 3.16 | % | | 3.16 | % | | 3.12 | % | | 3.13 | % | | 3.12 | % |
|
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 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at year-end | | | | | | Discount rate | 3.96 | % | | 4.04 | % | | 3.79 | % | Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year | 7.35 | % | | 7.10 | % | | 6.31 | % | Ultimate health care cost trend rate | 4.75 | % | | 4.75 | % | | 4.77 | % | Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved | 2026 |
| | 2025 |
| | 2024 |
| | | | | | | Assumptions used to determine expense | | | | | | Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation | 4.04 | % | | 3.79 | % | | 4.48 | % | Discount rate used to determine service cost | 4.26 | % | | 3.79 | % | | 4.48 | % | Discount rate used to determine interest cost | 3.12 | % | | 3.79 | % | | 4.48 | % | Initial health care cost trend rate | 7.10 | % | | 6.31 | % | | 6.64 | % | Ultimate health care cost trend rate | 4.75 | % | | 4.77 | % | | 4.77 | % | Year ultimate health care cost trend rate is achieved | 2025 |
| | 2024 |
| | 2023 |
|
|
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 | 17 |
| | (15 | ) |
|
Employer contributions to pension plans | Contributions to pension plans that Eaton expects to make in 2017, and made in 2016, 2015 and 2014, follow: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | United States plans | $ | 125 |
| | $ | 160 |
| | $ | 221 |
| | $ | 248 |
| Non-United States plans | 90 |
| | 102 |
| | 109 |
| | 114 |
| Total contributions | $ | 215 |
| | $ | 262 |
| | $ | 330 |
| | $ | 362 |
|
|
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 United States pension payments | | Estimated non-United States pension payments | | Estimated other postretirement benefit payments | | | | Gross | | Medicare prescription drug subsidy | 2017 | $ | 309 |
| | $ | 77 |
| | $ | 53 |
| | $ | (5 | ) | 2018 | 279 |
| | 80 |
| | 50 |
| | (5 | ) | 2019 | 278 |
| | 83 |
| | 46 |
| | (4 | ) | 2020 | 281 |
| | 86 |
| | 42 |
| | (4 | ) | 2021 | 289 |
| | 88 |
| | 36 |
| | (3 | ) | 2022 - 2026 | 1,460 |
| | 495 |
| | 156 |
| | (9 | ) |
|
Fair value of pension plan assets | A summary of the fair value of pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total | | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | | Other observable inputs (Level 2) | | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) | 2016 |
| | | | | | | Common collective trusts | | | | | | | | Non-United States equity and global equities | $ | 413 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 413 |
| | $ | — |
| United States equity | 94 |
| | — |
| | 94 |
| | — |
| Fixed income | 422 |
| | — |
| | 422 |
| | — |
| Fixed income securities | 359 |
| | — |
| | 359 |
| | — |
| United States treasuries | 123 |
| | 123 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Bank loans | 150 |
|
| — |
|
| 150 |
|
| — |
| Real estate securities | 201 |
| | 195 |
| | — |
| | 6 |
| Equity securities | 104 |
| | 104 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Cash equivalents | 276 |
| | 21 |
| | 255 |
| | — |
| Exchange traded funds | 55 |
| | 55 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Other | 109 |
| | — |
| | 14 |
| | 95 |
| Common collective and other trusts measured at net asset value | 2,038 |
| | | | | | | Hedge funds measured at net asset value | 85 |
| | | | | | | Money market funds measured at net asset value | 18 |
| | | | | | | Total pension plan assets | $ | 4,447 |
| | $ | 498 |
| | $ | 1,707 |
| | $ | 101 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total | | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | | Other observable inputs (Level 2) | | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) | 2015 | | | | | | | | Common collective trusts | | | | | | | | Non-United States equity and global equities | $ | 415 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 415 |
| | $ | — |
| United States equity | 96 |
| | — |
| | 96 |
| | — |
| Fixed income | 418 |
| | — |
| | 418 |
| | — |
| Fixed income securities | 357 |
| | — |
| | 357 |
| | — |
| United States treasuries | 105 |
| | 105 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Bank loans | 136 |
| | — |
| | 136 |
| | — |
| Real estate securities | 251 |
| | 244 |
| | — |
| | 7 |
| Equity securities | 98 |
| | 98 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Cash equivalents | 227 |
| | 17 |
| | 210 |
| | — |
| Exchange traded funds | 49 |
| | 49 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Other | 100 |
| | — |
| | 14 |
| | 86 |
| Common collective and other trusts measured at net asset value | 2,043 |
| | | | | | | Hedge funds measured at net asset value | 92 |
| | | | | | | Money market funds measured at net asset value | 19 |
| | | | | | | Total pension plan assets | $ | 4,406 |
| | $ | 513 |
| | $ | 1,646 |
| | $ | 93 |
|
|
Fair value measurement of plan assets using significant unobservable inputs | The fair value measurement of plan assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) changed during 2015 and 2016 due to the following: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Real estate securities | | Other | | Total | Balance at December 31, 2014 | $ | 6 |
| | $ | 60 |
| | $ | 66 |
| Actual return on plan assets: | | | | | | Gains (losses) relating to assets still held at year-end | 1 |
| | (2 | ) | | (1 | ) | Purchases, sales, settlements - net | — |
| | 37 |
| | 37 |
| Transfers into or out of Level 3 | — |
| | (9 | ) | | (9 | ) | Balance at December 31, 2015 | 7 |
| | 86 |
| | 93 |
| Actual return on plan assets: | | | | | | Gains (losses) relating to assets still held at year-end | — |
| | (6 | ) | | (6 | ) | Purchases, sales, settlements - net | (1 | ) | | 15 |
| | 14 |
| Transfers into or out of Level 3 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| Balance at December 31, 2016 | $ | 6 |
| | $ | 95 |
| | $ | 101 |
|
|
Fair value of other postretirement benefits plan assets | A summary of the fair value of other postretirement benefits plan assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total | | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | | Other observable inputs (Level 2) | | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) | 2016 | | | | | | | | Cash equivalents | $ | 8 |
| | $ | 8 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| Common collective and other trusts measured at net asset value | 66 |
| | | | | | | Total other postretirement benefits plan assets | $ | 74 |
| | $ | 8 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total | | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | | Other observable inputs (Level 2) | | Unobservable inputs (Level 3) | 2015 | | | | | | | | Fixed income securities | 18 |
| | — |
| | 18 |
| | — |
| United States treasuries | 20 |
| | 20 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Cash equivalents | 11 |
| | 11 |
| | — |
| | — |
| Common collective and other trusts measured at net asset value | 44 |
| | | | | | | Total other postretirement benefits plan assets | $ | 93 |
| | $ | 31 |
| | $ | 18 |
| | $ | — |
|
|
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: |