SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, 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
Net sales	$ 229,800	$ 249,800	$ 263,400	$ 222,500	$ 205,100	$ 237,600	$ 246,700	$ 201,900	$ 965,462	$ 891,345	$ 821,077
Gross profit	76,000	87,000	94,600	73,900	68,500	82,600	84,300	66,300	331,514	301,664	272,305
Net income	13,400	25,300	28,400	15,600	13,300	22,000	25,200	23,200	82,698	83,738	63,723
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 13,300	$ 25,100	$ 28,100	$ 15,500	$ 13,200	$ 21,900	$ 24,800	$ 23,000	$ 81,958	$ 82,864	$ 63,099
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