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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000038725-06-000089.txt : 20061221
<SEC-HEADER>0000038725-06-000089.hdr.sgml : 20061221
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061221155607
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000038725-06-000089
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061116
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061221
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061221

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FERGUSON DIANA SUE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001275975

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00362
		FILM NUMBER:		061293238

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SARA LEE CORP
		STREET 2:		70 W MADISO ST
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602

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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-11-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001275975</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FERGUSON DIANA SUE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SARA LEE CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>70 W MADISO ST</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60602</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3620</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.51</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-11-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2098</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The options become exercisable in three equal installments of 1/3 each year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Pursuant to terms of the Nonemployee Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan approved by the board of directors on February 11, 2000 and amended and restated on April 28, 2006, Ms. Ferguson elected to receive her 2005 board of directors retainer and 2006 retainer, meeting fees and stock award in Franklin Electric Co., Inc. common stock, issuance of such shares deferred until she retires or otherwise leaves the board of directors (e.g. Stock Units).  On November 16, 2006, Ms. Ferguson was credited with 5 Stock Units for dividends that would have been paid on such deferred shares.  At distribution, Ms. Ferguson may elect pursuant to the terms of the Plan to receive her deferred compensation either in shares of Franklin common stock or in cash.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael K. Butchko, Power of Attorney for Diana S. Ferguson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-12-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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