EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 19,220,000	$ 12,332,000	$ 51,554,000	$ 30,797,000
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to redeemable non- controlling interest	200,000	0	500,000	0
Net Income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Excluding Undistributed Earnings	$ 19,000,000	$ 12,300,000	$ 51,100,000	$ 30,800,000
Basic
Weighted average common shares	23.2	23.2	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	23.5	23.7	23.5
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.82	$ 0.53	$ 2.20	$ 1.33
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.80	$ 0.52	$ 2.16	$ 1.31
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