CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,575	$ 34,075	$ 74,169	$ 76,014
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,364	(13,659)	(32,381)	(15,107)
Employee benefit plan activity	966	606	2,768	1,905
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	4,330	(13,053)	(29,613)	(13,202)
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income/(loss)	(192)	(131)	(562)	(413)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	4,138	(13,184)	(30,175)	(13,615)
Comprehensive income	42,713	20,891	43,994	62,399
Less: Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	237	131	564	289
Comprehensive income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 42,476	$ 20,760	$ 43,430	$ 62,110