CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 239,755	$ 232,485	$ 710,266	$ 705,640
Cost of sales	154,286	155,693	459,883	477,150
Gross profit	85,469	76,792	250,383	228,490
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	55,373	47,722	165,672	159,160
Restructuring (income)/expense	(1,715)	1,304	(850)	2,525
Operating income	31,811	27,766	85,561	66,805
Interest expense	(1,983)	(2,604)	(6,631)	(7,717)
Other income, net	1,446	1,616	2,787	6,025
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	399	(96)	637	(39)
Income before income taxes	31,673	26,682	82,354	65,074
Income tax expense	7,926	5,656	20,840	7,634
Net income	23,747	21,026	61,514	57,440
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(83)	(201)	(411)	(656)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 23,664	$ 20,825	$ 61,103	$ 56,784
Income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.44	$ 1.29	$ 1.18
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.50	0.43	1.28	1.17
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1000	$ 0.0975	$ 0.2975	$ 0.2850