CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 343,970	$ 305,349	$ 639,600	$ 525,601
Cost of sales	227,894	202,596	424,542	347,032
Gross profit	116,076	102,753	215,058	178,569
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	74,965	68,231	151,240	125,227
Restructuring expense	637	251	644	566
Operating income	40,474	34,271	63,174	52,776
Interest expense	(2,606)	(2,244)	(5,034)	(5,758)
Other income/(expense), net	45	5,506	(159)	6,178
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	(999)	(372)	(1,550)	103
Income before income taxes	36,914	37,161	56,431	53,299
Income tax expense	6,875	6,917	5,177	7,121
Net income	30,039	30,244	51,254	46,178
Less: Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	458	(335)	417	(539)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 30,497	$ 29,909	$ 51,671	$ 45,639
Income per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 0.64	$ 1.10	$ 0.97
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	0.64	0.64	1.09	0.97
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1200	$ 0.1075	$ 0.2275	$ 0.2075