EARNINGS PER SHARE Details (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 21,650,000	$ 11,135,000	$ 32,330,000	$ 18,463,000
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to redeemable non- controlling interest	200,000	0	300,000	0
Net Income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Excluding Undistributed Earnings	$ 21,500,000	$ 11,100,000	$ 32,000,000	$ 18,500,000
Basic
Weighted average common shares	23.2	23.3	23.2	23.2
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee and director incentive stock options and awards	0.5	0.3	0.5	0.3
Adjusted weighted average common shares	23.7	23.6	23.7	23.5
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.92	$ 0.48	$ 1.38	$ 0.80
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.91	$ 0.47	$ 1.35	$ 0.79
Stock Options [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Anti-dilutive stock options	0.3	0.9	0.3	0.9
Anti-dilutive stock options price range – low	$ 43.43	$ 28.82	$ 43.43	$ 28.82
Anti-dilutive stock options price range – high	$ 48.87	$ 48.87	$ 48.87	$ 48.87