<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000038725-19-000026.txt : 20190227
<SEC-HEADER>0000038725-19-000026.hdr.sgml : 20190227
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190227152015
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000038725-19-000026
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20190225
FILED AS OF DATE:		20190227
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190227

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			davis delancey w
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001399052

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00362
		FILM NUMBER:		19637342

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
		STREET 2:		9255 COVERDALE RD
		CITY:			FORT WAYNE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46809

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000038725
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTORS & GENERATORS [3621]
		IRS NUMBER:				350827455
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9255 COVERDALE ROAD
		CITY:			FORT WAYNE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46809
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2608242900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9255 COVERDALE ROAD
		CITY:			FORT WAYNE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46809
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_155129879966156.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
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    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

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    <periodOfReport>2019-02-25</periodOfReport>

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    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000038725</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FELE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001399052</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>davis delancey w</rptOwnerName>
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        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9255 COVERDALE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FORT WAYNE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46809</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, Headwater Companies</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
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                <value>common stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3633</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>40.25</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9217</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>54.76</value>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
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    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.08</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2019-02-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5004</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2026-02-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5004.0</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5004</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>42.2</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2019-02-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3285</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3285.0</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6569</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
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                <value>2019-02-25</value>
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                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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                    <value>3633</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-02-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3633.0</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10897</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 3,086 restricted stock units that vest 4 years after the 2/22/2018 grant date, 2,858 restricted stock units that vest 4 years after the 2/23/2017 grant date, 4,023 restricted shares that vest 4 years after the 2/25/2016 grant date, 3,092 restricted shares that vest 4 years after the 2/26/2015 grant date, and 5,979 shares owned outright</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The options became exercisable in four equal installments of 1/4 each year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>DeLancey W. Davis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-02-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
