CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,314,578	$ 1,298,129	$ 1,124,909
Cost of sales	886,475	865,763	747,927
Gross profit	428,103	432,366	376,982
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	298,451	298,706	265,447
Restructuring expense	2,519	1,666	4,307
Operating income	127,133	131,994	107,228
Interest expense	(8,245)	(9,839)	(10,322)
Other income/(expense), net	(412)	(1,042)	6,656
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	(1,641)	(706)	1,025
Income before income taxes	116,835	120,407	104,587
Income tax expense	20,836	14,890	25,994
Net income	95,999	105,517	78,593
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(516)	360	(413)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 95,483	$ 105,877	$ 78,180
Income per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.04	$ 2.25	$ 1.67
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.03	$ 2.23	$ 1.65