EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (in dollars)	$ 22,673,000	$ 25,061,000	$ 66,704,000	$ 68,652,000
Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities	200,000	300,000	700,000	900,000
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interest (in dollars)	400,000	0	600,000	0
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. excluding undistributed earnings (in dollars)	$ 22,100,000	$ 24,800,000	$ 65,400,000	$ 67,800,000
Basic
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	47.6	47.6	47.7	47.4
Effect of dilutive securities:
Non-participating employee and director incentive stock options and performance awards (in shares)	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.7
Adjusted weighted average common shares (in shares)	48.1	48.2	48.2	48.1
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.52	$ 1.37	$ 1.43
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.51	$ 1.36	$ 1.41
Stock Options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Anti-dilutive stock options (in shares)	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1