CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 02, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 220,252	$ 218,430
Cost of sales	144,436	144,194
Gross profit	75,816	74,236
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	56,991	52,345
Restructuring expense	315	820
Operating income	18,510	21,071
Interest expense	(3,514)	(2,427)
Other income/(expense), net	667	(32)
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	475	(77)
Income before income taxes	16,138	18,535
Income tax expense	204	4,955
Net income	15,934	13,580
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(204)	(123)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 15,730	$ 13,457
Income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.28
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.33	0.28
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1000	$ 0.0975