CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 105,517	$ 78,593	$ 79,315
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(34,723)	17,937	(8,459)
Employee benefit plan activity:
Net loss arising during period	(2,241)	(274)	(3,809)
Amortization arising during period	3,327	3,012	4,298
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(33,637)	20,675	(7,970)
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive loss	(307)	(534)	(499)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(33,944)	20,141	(8,469)
Comprehensive income	71,573	98,734	70,846
Less: Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(332)	(251)	345
Comprehensive income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 71,905	$ 98,985	$ 70,501