EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (in dollars)	$ 15,456,000	$ 23,046,000
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities (in dollars)	200,000	0
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. excluding undistributed earnings (in dollars)	$ 15,300,000	$ 23,000,000
Basic
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	47.3	46.8
Effect of dilutive securities:
Non-participating employee and director incentive stock options and performance awards (in shares)	0.7	1.0
Adjusted weighted average common shares (in shares)	48.0	47.8
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.49
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.48
Stock Options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Anti-dilutive stock options (in shares)	0	0