SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Company--“Franklin Electric” or the “Company” shall refer to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Fiscal Year--The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31. The financial statements and accompanying notes are as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011 (52 weeks), January 1, 2011 (52 weeks), and January 2, 2010 (52 weeks), and referred to as 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Principles of Consolidation--The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Business Combinations--The Company allocates the purchase price of its acquisitions to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and non-controlling interests acquired based upon their respective fair values at the acquisition date. The Company utilizes management estimates and inputs from an independent third-party valuation firm to assist in determining these fair values. The excess of the acquisition price over these estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is adjusted for any changes to acquisition date fair value amounts made within the measurement period. Acquisition-related transaction costs are recognized separately from the business combination and expensed as incurred. Revenue Recognition--Products are shipped utilizing common carriers direct to customers or, for consignment products, to customer specified warehouse locations. Sales are recognized when the Company’s products are shipped direct or, in the case of consignment products, transferred from the customer specified warehouse location to the customer, at which time transfer of ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. The Company records net sales revenues after discounts at the time of sale based on specific discount programs in effect, related historical data, and experience. Research and Development Expense--The Company’s research and development activities are charged to expense in the period incurred. The Company incurred expenses of approximately $8.2 million in 2011, $7.5 million in 2010, and $6.9 million in 2009. Cash and Cash Equivalents--The Company considers cash on hand, demand deposits, and highly liquid investments with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The carrying amount of long-term debt was $163.7 million at December 31, 2011 and $151.8 million at January 1, 2011. The estimated fair value of all debt was $179.2 million and $162.0 million at December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2011, respectively. The fair value assumed floating rate debt was valued at par. In the absence of quoted prices in active markets, considerable judgment is required in developing estimates of fair value. Estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market transaction. In determining the fair value of its long-term debt, the Company uses estimates based on rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. The Company’s off-balance sheet instruments consist of operating leases. Accounts Receivable, Earned Discounts, and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts--Accounts receivable are stated at estimated net realizable value. Accounts receivable are comprised of balances due from customers, net of earned discounts and estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts. Earned discounts are based on specific customer agreement terms. In determining allowances for uncollectible accounts, historical collection experience, current trends, aging of accounts receivable, and periodic credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition are reviewed. The Company believes that the allowance is appropriate; however, actual experience could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve. Inventories--Effective January 2, 2011, the Company elected to change its accounting principle of valuing all of its inventories that used the LIFO method to the FIFO method (see Note 3). Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The majority of the cost of domestic and foreign inventories is determined using the FIFO method with a portion of inventory costs determined using the average cost method. The Company reviews its inventories for excess or obsolete products or components based on an analysis of historical usage and management's evaluation of estimated future demand, market conditions, and alternative uses for possible excess or obsolete parts. Property, Plant, and Equipment--Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of 5 to 20 years for land improvements and buildings, 5 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, and 5 years for furniture and fixtures. Maintenance, repairs, and renewals of a minor nature are expensed as incurred. Betterments and major renewals which extend the useful lives or add to the productive capacity of buildings, improvements, and equipment are capitalized. The Company reviews its property, plant, and equipment for impairment at the asset group level whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company’s depreciation expense was $19.4 million, $19.5 million, and $20.2 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets--The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or more frequently as warranted by triggering events that indicate potential impairment. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level, which the company has determined to be the Americas Water Systems Group, International Water, and Fueling Systems units. In compliance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, the Company has evaluated the aggregation criteria and determined that the components within the Americas Water Systems Group and International Water reporting units can be aggregated in 2011. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill, the Company determines the fair value of its reporting units by utilizing a combination of both the income and market valuation approaches. The income approach estimates fair value based upon future revenue, expenses, and cash flows discounted to present value. The market valuation approach estimates fair value using market multipliers of various financial measures compared to a set of comparable public companies. An indication of impairment exists if the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than its fair value, as determined by the above approach. The second step of testing as outlined in FASB ASC Topic 350 must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The amount of impairment is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to its carrying value in the same manner as if the reporting units were being acquired in a business combination. The Company would allocate the fair value to all of the reporting unit's assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical analysis that would calculate the implied fair value of goodwill. The Company would record an impairment charge for the difference between the implied fair value of goodwill and the recorded goodwill. The Company also tests indefinite lived intangible assets, primarily trade names, for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter. In assessing the recoverability of the trade names, the Company determines the fair value using an income approach. The income approach estimates fair value based upon future revenue. An indication of impairment exists if the carrying value of the trade names is higher than the fair value. The Company would record an impairment charge for the difference. Amortization is recorded and calculated for other definite lived intangible assets on a basis that reflects cash flows over the estimated useful lives. The weighted average number of years over which each intangible class is amortized is 17 years for patents, 6 years for supply agreements, 15 years for technology, 13 - 20 years for customer relationships, 5 years for software, and 8 years for all others. Warranty Obligations--Warranty terms are generally two years from date of manufacture or one year from date of installation. The general warranty liability is recorded when revenue is recognized and is based on actual historical return rates from the most recent warranty periods. In 2007, the Company began offering an extended warranty program to certain Water Systems customers, which provides warranty coverage up to five years from the date of manufacture. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold or when specific warranty issues are identified. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency, and average cost of warranty claims and expected customer returns. The Company actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. The Company believes that the warranty reserve is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve. Income Taxes--Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under this guidance, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carry forwards using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company records a liability for uncertain tax positions by establishing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Share-Based Compensation--The Company accounts for compensation costs for all share-based payments based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with fair value provisions. Pension--The Company makes its determination for pension, postretirement, and post employment benefit plans liabilities based on management estimates and consultation with actuaries, incorporating estimates, and assumptions of future plan service costs, future interest costs on projected benefit obligations, rates of compensation increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates, expected investment returns on plan assets, asset allocation assumptions of plan assets, and other factors. Earnings Per Common Share--Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed and disclosed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share are computed based upon earnings available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed based upon earnings available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted for the effect of other dilutive securities. The Company utilizes the two-class method to compute earnings available to common shareholders. Under the two-class method, earnings are adjusted by accretion amounts to redeemable noncontrolling interests recorded at redemption value. The adjustments represent dividend distributions, in substance, to the noncontrolling interest holder as the holders have contractual rights to receive an amount upon redemption other than the fair value of applicable shares. As a result, earnings are adjusted to reflect this in substance distribution that is different from other common shareholders. Translation of Foreign Currencies--All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries in functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated at year end exchange rates. All revenue and expense accounts are translated at average rates in effect during the respective period. Adjustments for translating foreign currency assets and liabilities in U.S. dollars are included as a component of other comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations are included in the results of operations in “Foreign exchange income/(expense)”, as incurred. Significant Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect allowance for uncollectible accounts, inventory valuation, business combinations, redeemable noncontrolling interest, trade names and goodwill, income taxes, pension and employee benefit obligations, and share-based compensation. Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could materially differ. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Company--“Franklin Electric” or the “Company” shall refer to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Fiscal Year--The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31. The financial statements and accompanying notes are as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011 (52 weeks), January 1, 2011 (52 weeks), and January 2, 2010 (52 weeks), and referred to as 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Principles of Consolidation--The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Business Combinations--The Company allocates the purchase price of its acquisitions to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and non-controlling interests acquired based upon their respective fair values at the acquisition date. The Company utilizes management estimates and inputs from an independent third-party valuation firm to assist in determining these fair values. The excess of the acquisition price over these estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is adjusted for any changes to acquisition date fair value amounts made within the measurement period. Acquisition-related transaction costs are recognized separately from the business combination and expensed as incurred.

Revenue Recognition--Products are shipped utilizing common carriers direct to customers or, for consignment products, to customer specified warehouse locations. Sales are recognized when the Company’s products are shipped direct or, in the case of consignment products, transferred from the customer specified warehouse location to the customer, at which time transfer of ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. The Company records net sales revenues after discounts at the time of sale based on specific discount programs in effect, related historical data, and experience.

Research and Development Expense--The Company’s research and development activities are charged to expense in the period incurred. The Company incurred expenses of approximately $8.2 million in 2011, $7.5 million in 2010, and $6.9 million in 2009.

Cash and Cash Equivalents--The Company considers cash on hand, demand deposits, and highly liquid investments with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The carrying amount of long-term debt was $163.7 million at December 31, 2011 and $151.8 million at January 1, 2011. The estimated fair value of all debt was $179.2 million and $162.0 million at December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2011, respectively. The fair value assumed floating rate debt was valued at par. In the absence of quoted prices in active markets, considerable judgment is required in developing estimates of fair value. Estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market transaction. In determining the fair value of its long-term debt, the Company uses estimates based on rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. The Company’s off-balance sheet instruments consist of operating leases.

Accounts Receivable, Earned Discounts, and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts--Accounts receivable are stated at estimated net realizable value. Accounts receivable are comprised of balances due from customers, net of earned discounts and estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts. Earned discounts are based on specific customer agreement terms. In determining allowances for uncollectible accounts, historical collection experience, current trends, aging of accounts receivable, and periodic credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition are reviewed. The Company believes that the allowance is appropriate; however, actual experience could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve.

Inventories--Effective January 2, 2011, the Company elected to change its accounting principle of valuing all of its inventories that used the LIFO method to the FIFO method (see Note 3).

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The majority of the cost of domestic and foreign inventories is determined using the FIFO method with a portion of inventory costs determined using the average cost method. The Company reviews its inventories for excess or obsolete products or components based on an analysis of historical usage and management's evaluation of estimated future demand, market conditions, and alternative uses for possible excess or obsolete parts.

Property, Plant, and Equipment--Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of 5 to 20 years for land improvements and buildings, 5 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, and 5 years for furniture and fixtures. Maintenance, repairs, and renewals of a minor nature are expensed as incurred. Betterments and major renewals which extend the useful lives or add to the productive capacity of buildings, improvements, and equipment are capitalized. The Company reviews its property, plant, and equipment for impairment at the asset group level whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company’s depreciation expense was $19.4 million, $19.5 million, and $20.2 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets--The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or more frequently as warranted by triggering events that indicate potential impairment. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level, which the company has determined to be the Americas Water Systems Group, International Water, and Fueling Systems units. In compliance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, the Company has evaluated the aggregation criteria and determined that the components within the Americas Water Systems Group and International Water reporting units can be aggregated in 2011.

In assessing the recoverability of goodwill, the Company determines the fair value of its reporting units by utilizing a combination of both the income and market valuation approaches. The income approach estimates fair value based upon future revenue, expenses, and cash flows discounted to present value. The market valuation approach estimates fair value using market multipliers of various financial measures compared to a set of comparable public companies.

An indication of impairment exists if the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than its fair value, as determined by the above approach. The second step of testing as outlined in FASB ASC Topic 350 must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The amount of impairment is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to its carrying value in the same manner as if the reporting units were being acquired in a business combination. The Company would allocate the fair value to all of the reporting unit's assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical analysis that would calculate the implied fair value of goodwill. The Company would record an impairment charge for the difference between the implied fair value of goodwill and the recorded goodwill.

The Company also tests indefinite lived intangible assets, primarily trade names, for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter. In assessing the recoverability of the trade names, the Company determines the fair value using an income approach. The income approach estimates fair value based upon future revenue. An indication of impairment exists if the carrying value of the trade names is higher than the fair value. The Company would record an impairment charge for the difference.

Amortization is recorded and calculated for other definite lived intangible assets on a basis that reflects cash flows over the estimated useful lives. The weighted average number of years over which each intangible class is amortized is 17 years for patents, 6 years for supply agreements, 15 years for technology, 13 - 20 years for customer relationships, 5 years for software, and 8 years for all others.

Warranty Obligations--Warranty terms are generally two years from date of manufacture or one year from date of installation. The general warranty liability is recorded when revenue is recognized and is based on actual historical return rates from the most recent warranty periods. In 2007, the Company began offering an extended warranty program to certain Water Systems customers, which provides warranty coverage up to five years from the date of manufacture. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold or when specific warranty issues are identified. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency, and average cost of warranty claims and expected customer returns. The Company actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. The Company believes that the warranty reserve is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve.

Income Taxes--Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under this guidance, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carry forwards using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company records a liability for uncertain tax positions by establishing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

Share-Based Compensation--The Company accounts for compensation costs for all share-based payments based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with fair value provisions.

Pension--The Company makes its determination for pension, postretirement, and post employment benefit plans liabilities based on management estimates and consultation with actuaries, incorporating estimates, and assumptions of future plan service costs, future interest costs on projected benefit obligations, rates of compensation increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates, expected investment returns on plan assets, asset allocation assumptions of plan assets, and other factors.

Earnings Per Common Share--Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed and disclosed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share are computed based upon earnings available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed based upon earnings available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted for the effect of other dilutive securities. The Company utilizes the two-class method to compute earnings available to common shareholders. Under the two-class method, earnings are adjusted by accretion amounts to redeemable noncontrolling interests recorded at redemption value. The adjustments represent dividend distributions, in substance, to the noncontrolling interest holder as the holders have contractual rights to receive an amount upon redemption other than the fair value of applicable shares. As a result, earnings are adjusted to reflect this in substance distribution that is different from other common shareholders.

Translation of Foreign Currencies--All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries in functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated at year end exchange rates. All revenue and expense accounts are translated at average rates in effect during the respective period. Adjustments for translating foreign currency assets and liabilities in U.S. dollars are included as a component of other comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations are included in the results of operations in “Foreign exchange income/(expense)”, as incurred.

Significant Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect allowance for uncollectible accounts, inventory valuation, business combinations, redeemable noncontrolling interest, trade names and goodwill, income taxes, pension and employee benefit obligations, and share-based compensation.

Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could materially differ. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.