-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 J88JaAEQRAaV7EBoEtfgmrcLnWoGehRhg995WrD0+bTQON7aZguQ0rlcIUozzWMc
 Kmg6/GeQY8S25wawQD/svQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000038725-03-000099.txt : 20031014
<SEC-HEADER>0000038725-03-000099.hdr.sgml : 20031013
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031014153426
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000038725-03-000099
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031003
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031014

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROBERTS DAVID A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198752

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00362
		FILM NUMBER:		03939427

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1441
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55440-1441
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6126236000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000038725
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTORS & GENERATORS [3621]
		IRS NUMBER:				350827455
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0103

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 E SPRING ST
		CITY:			BLUFFTON
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46714
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2608242900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 E SPRING STREET
		CITY:			BLUFFTON
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46714
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-03</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000038725</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FELE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001198752</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROBERTS DAVID A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>400 E SPRING STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BLUFFTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46714</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>


    <remarks>As of October 3, 2003 no non-derivative or derivatieve securities of the registrant were beneficially owned by Mr. Roberts.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Gregg C. Sengstack, Power of Attorney for David A. Roberts</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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