CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 355,340	$ 343,970	$ 646,055	$ 639,600
Cost of sales	235,622	227,894	436,831	424,542
Gross profit	119,718	116,076	209,224	215,058
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	75,782	74,965	152,081	151,240
Restructuring expense	245	637	1,331	644
Operating income	43,691	40,474	55,812	63,174
Interest (expense)	(2,295)	(2,606)	(4,637)	(5,034)
Other income/(expense), net	(292)	45	(53)	(159)
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	(505)	(999)	84	(1,550)
Income before income taxes	40,599	36,914	51,206	56,431
Income tax expense	7,787	6,875	9,267	5,177
Net income	32,812	30,039	41,939	51,254
Less: Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(67)	458	(138)	417
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 32,745	$ 30,497	$ 41,801	$ 51,671
Income per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.65	$ 0.89	$ 1.10
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.64	$ 0.89	$ 1.09