CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 348,416	$ 341,866	$ 994,471	$ 981,466
Cost of sales	230,793	228,900	667,624	653,442
Gross profit	117,623	112,966	326,847	328,024
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	74,500	72,483	226,581	223,723
Restructuring expense	404	346	1,735	990
Operating income	42,719	40,137	98,531	103,311
Interest (expense)	(2,037)	(2,443)	(6,674)	(7,477)
Other (expense), net	(250)	(422)	(303)	(581)
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	2,082	(1,601)	2,166	(3,151)
Income before income taxes	42,514	35,671	93,720	92,102
Income tax expense	8,439	5,739	17,706	10,916
Net income	34,075	29,932	76,014	81,186
Less: Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(168)	74	(306)	491
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 33,907	$ 30,006	$ 75,708	$ 81,677
Income per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.64	$ 1.62	$ 1.74
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.63	$ 1.61	$ 1.72