CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 1,298,129	$ 1,124,909	$ 949,856
Cost of sales	865,763	747,927	618,450
Gross profit	432,366	376,982	331,406
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	298,706	265,447	219,934
Restructuring (income)/expense	1,666	4,307	(598)
Operating income	131,994	107,228	112,070
Interest expense	(9,839)	(10,322)	(8,732)
Other income, net	(1,042)	6,656	(282)
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	(706)	1,025	1,057
Income before income taxes	120,407	104,587	104,113
Income tax expense	14,890	25,994	24,798
Net income	105,517	78,593	79,315
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	360	(413)	(570)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 105,877	$ 78,180	$ 78,745
Income per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.25	$ 1.67	$ 1.67
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	2.23	1.65	1.65
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.4675	$ 0.4225	$ 0.3975