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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 N7xlbcDH+86CGHxyc4PCQ9Cclj+UiCLVxqwHGeCqCFA7P+h3KVROniw/xQXiNN43
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000038725-10-000091.txt : 20100827
<SEC-HEADER>0000038725-10-000091.hdr.sgml : 20100827
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100827164039
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000038725-10-000091
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100826
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100827
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100827

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:			BROWN DAVID T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001228301

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00362
		FILM NUMBER:		101044457

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10858 EAST WILDCAT HILL RD.
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85262
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-08-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001228301</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BROWN DAVID T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10858 EAST WILDCAT HILL RD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SCOTTSDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AZ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>85262</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>stock units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-08-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>55.74</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>55.74</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13647.53</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">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 7, 2006, Mr. Brown elected to receive his 2010 board of directors retainer, meeting fees and stock award in Franklin Electric Co., Inc. common stock, issuance of such shares deferred until he retires or otherwise leaves the board of directors (e.g. Stock Units).  On August 26, 2010, Mr. Brown was credited with 55.74 Stock Units for dividends that would have been paid on such deferred shares.  At distribution, Mr. Brown may elect pursuant to the terms of the Plan to receive his deferred compensation either in shares of Franklin common stock or in cash.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Angela M. Hughes, power of attorney for David T. Brown</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-08-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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