Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 188.4	$ 160.2	$ 538.1	$ 667.7
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension and postretirement benefit plans	1.8	2.2	5.5	5.9
Derivative instruments	2.7	4.6	(1.7)	4.3
Foreign currency items	46.6	(54.2)	35.6	(10.5)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	51.1	(47.4)	39.4	(0.3)
Comprehensive income	$ 239.5	$ 112.8	$ 577.5	$ 667.4

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Net Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 87-21

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph A7

-Appendix A

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

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Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

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+ Details

- Definition

Net of tax and reclassification adjustments of the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity. Also includes the following: gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts; foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; and gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the parent entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569643-111683

+ Details

Cooper Industries plc 10-Q