GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, amortized intangibles	$ 160.2		$ 163.8
Accumulated amortization	(55.2)		(54.2)
Gross carrying amount, total intangibles	208.7		214.5
Amortization expense, intangible assets	2.2us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	2.0us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Future Amortization Expense
2015	8.7
2016	8.7
2017	8.5
2018	8.5
2019	8.2
Patents
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, amortized intangibles	7.5		7.6
Accumulated amortization	(6.1)		(6.1)
Supply Agreements
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, amortized intangibles	4.4		4.4
Accumulated amortization	(4.4)		(4.4)
Technology
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, amortized intangibles	7.5		7.5
Accumulated amortization	(4.4)		(4.3)
Customer Relationships
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, amortized intangibles	137.1		140.2
Accumulated amortization	(37.6)		(36.5)
Software
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, amortized intangibles	2.7		2.9
Accumulated amortization	(1.7)		(1.7)
Other
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, amortized intangibles	1.0		1.2
Accumulated amortization	(1.0)		(1.2)
Trade Names
Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, unamortized intangibles	$ 48.5		$ 50.7

The amount of gross intangible assets, including both amortized and unamortized intangibles.

No definition available.

Name:	fele_IntangibleAssetsGrossIncludingAmortizedAndUnamortizedIntangibles
Namespace Prefix:	fele_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References