CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 24,802	$ 32,812	$ 35,594	$ 41,939
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,977	1,362	(35,745)	(1,448)
Employee benefit plan activity	901	649	1,802	1,299
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	2,878	2,011	(33,943)	(149)
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income/(loss)	(185)	(141)	(370)	(282)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	2,693	1,870	(34,313)	(431)
Comprehensive income	27,495	34,682	1,281	41,508
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	173	126	327	158
Comprehensive income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 27,322	$ 34,556	$ 954	$ 41,350