-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 O/TtiXvZsNNOdMmnaZPIQZaecAuPcbvzRoVo8/EEs0FNBIPoTOXgwyVMcBDz+FCP
 sBWtDPhEEFvb71g6pkAYkw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000038725-08-000080.txt : 20081027
<SEC-HEADER>0000038725-08-000080.hdr.sgml : 20081027
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081027160641
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000038725-08-000080
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080414
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081027
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081027

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:			0725

	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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Haines John J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001446203

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00362
		FILM NUMBER:		081142451

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		260-616-0423

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11129 CARNOUSTIE LANE
		CITY:			FORT WAYNE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46814
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-14</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001446203</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Haines John J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>11129 CARNOUSTIE LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FORT WAYNE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46814</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President and CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>Mr. Haines was hired as CFO of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. on April 14, 2008</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John J. Haines</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-10-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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