CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 32,812	$ 30,039	$ 41,939	$ 51,254
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,362	(32,736)	(1,448)	(25,741)
Employee benefit plan activity	649	774	1,299	1,552
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	2,011	(31,962)	(149)	(24,189)
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income/(loss)	(141)	(176)	(282)	(353)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,870	(32,138)	(431)	(24,542)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	34,682	(2,099)	41,508	26,712
Less: Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	126	(469)	158	(376)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 34,556	$ (1,630)	$ 41,350	$ 27,088