<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2002-07-01</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000751085</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MAGNETEK INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MAG</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001123552</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WYCOFF ROBERT E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-07-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>220.6374</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>9.82</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>220.6374</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>18617.4867</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-07-26</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>526.3158</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>6.65</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>526.3158</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>19143.8025</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-08-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>335.9163</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>6.45</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>335.9163</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>19479.7188</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-09-03</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>518.9604</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>4.175</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>518.9604</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>19998.6792</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-10-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>606.9076</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>3.57</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>606.9076</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>20605.5868</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-10-30</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>739.1763</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>4.735</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>739.1763</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>21344.7632</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-11-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>449.0487</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>4.825</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>449.0487</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>21793.8119</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-12-02</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>364.7576</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>5.94</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>364.7576</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>22158.5694</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-12-09</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>182.6484</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>5.475</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>182.6484</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>22341.2178</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2002-12-23</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>194.9318</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>5.13</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>194.9318</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>22536.1496</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-01-02</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>472.554</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>4.585</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>472.554</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>23008.7036</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-01-29</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>543.4783</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>4.60</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>543.4783</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>23552.1819</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-02-03</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>487.4376</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>4.445</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>487.4376</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>24039.6194</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-03-03</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>632.6015</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>3.425</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>632.6015</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>24672.2209</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-04-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>942.0261</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>2.3</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>942.0261</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>25614.2470</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-04-30</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>1176.4706</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>2.125</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>1176.4706</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>26790.7176</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-05-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>982.6122</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>2.205</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>982.6122</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>27773.3298</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-06-02</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>887.9754</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>2.44</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>887.9754</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>28661.3052</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-07-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>826.9695</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>2.62</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>826.9695</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>29488.2747</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Director Stock Options</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>2.54</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-06-30</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value/>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>7500</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>2.54</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>1988-08-08</value>
        <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>2013-06-30</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>7500</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>7500</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">1 for 1</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">The Phantom Stock Units were accrued under the Magnetek, Inc. Amended and Restated Director Compensation and Deferral Investment Plan and will be settled in cash or shares of Magnetek, Inc. common stock upon the Reporting Person's termination of service as a director of Magnetek, Inc.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F3">The option vests 50% on the first anniversary of the transaction date and the remaining 50% on the second anniversary.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>Tina D. McKnight, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-08-01</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

