CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 311,113	$ 239,755	$ 836,714	$ 710,266
Cost of sales	207,271	154,286	554,303	459,883
Gross profit	103,842	85,469	282,411	250,383
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	70,986	55,373	196,275	165,672
Restructuring (income)/expense	1,009	(1,715)	1,575	(850)
Operating income	31,847	31,811	84,561	85,561
Interest expense	(2,297)	(1,983)	(8,055)	(6,631)
Other income, net	574	1,446	6,814	2,787
Foreign exchange income	193	399	296	637
Income before income taxes	30,317	31,673	83,616	82,354
Income tax expense	5,769	7,926	12,890	20,840
Net income	24,548	23,747	70,726	61,514
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(78)	(83)	(617)	(411)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 24,470	$ 23,664	$ 70,109	$ 61,103
Income per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.51	$ 1.50	$ 1.29
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	0.52	0.50	1.48	1.28
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1075000	$ 0.1000	$ 0.315	$ 0.2975