CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 341,866	$ 311,113	$ 981,466	$ 836,714
Cost of sales	228,900	207,271	653,442	554,303
Gross profit	112,966	103,842	328,024	282,411
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	72,483	70,850	223,723	196,077
Restructuring expense	346	1,009	990	1,575
Operating income	40,137	31,983	103,311	84,759
Interest (expense)	(2,443)	(2,297)	(7,477)	(8,055)
Other income/(expense), net	(422)	438	(581)	6,616
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	(1,601)	193	(3,151)	296
Income before income taxes	35,671	30,317	92,102	83,616
Income tax expense	5,739	5,769	10,916	12,890
Net income	29,932	24,548	81,186	70,726
Less: Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	74	(78)	491	(617)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 30,006	$ 24,470	$ 81,677	$ 70,109
Income per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.52	$ 1.74	$ 1.50
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	0.63	0.52	1.72	1.48
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1200	$ 0.1075	$ 0.3475	$ 0.3150