EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (in dollars)	$ 13,300,000	$ 25,100,000	$ 28,100,000	$ 15,500,000	$ 13,200,000	$ 21,900,000	$ 24,800,000	$ 23,000,000	$ 81,958,000	$ 82,864,000	$ 63,099,000
Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities (in dollars)									1,000,000	600,000	0
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interest (in dollars)									200,000	0	200,000
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. excluding undistributed earnings (in dollars)									$ 80,800,000	$ 82,300,000	$ 62,900,000
Basic
Weighted average common shares (in shares)									47.5	46.9	46.4
Effect of dilutive securities:
Non-participating employee and director incentive stock options and performance awards (in shares)									0.6	0.8	1.0
Adjusted weighted average common shares (in shares)									48.1	47.7	47.4
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.52	$ 0.59	$ 0.32	$ 0.28	$ 0.47	$ 0.53	$ 0.49	$ 1.70	$ 1.76	$ 1.36
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.51	$ 0.58	$ 0.32	$ 0.27	$ 0.46	$ 0.52	$ 0.48	$ 1.68	$ 1.73	$ 1.33
Stock Options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Anti-dilutive stock options (in shares)									0.1	0.1	0.6