DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Document Information
Entity Registrant Name	FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000038725
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,437,493
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,085,986,258