Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 102,852	$ 97,153
Cost of products sold	69,942	69,888
GROSS PROFIT	32,910	27,265
Costs and expenses
Selling	8,905	8,413
General and administrative	13,434	12,318
Research and engineering	4,296	4,140
Other operating expense - net	1,122	348
Total costs and expenses	27,757	25,219
OPERATING INCOME	5,153	2,046
Other income (expense)
Interest income	111	179
Interest expense	(709)	(368)
Other income - net	549	71
Total other income (expense)	(49)	(118)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	5,104	1,928
Income tax expense	1,451	104
NET INCOME	3,653	1,824
Add: Net adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests	45	0
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS	$ 3,698	$ 1,824
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:
Basic	5,008	5,045
Diluted	5,017	5,054
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic	$ 0.74	$ 0.36
Diluted	$ 0.74	$ 0.36