Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 117,553	$ 102,852
Cost of products sold	77,361	69,942
GROSS PROFIT	40,192	32,910
Costs and expenses
Selling	9,601	8,905
General and administrative	14,394	13,434
Research and engineering	4,611	4,296
Other operating expense - net	818	1,122
Total costs and expenses	29,424	27,757
OPERATING INCOME	10,768	5,153
Other income (expense)
Interest income	21	111
Interest expense	(463)	(709)
Other income - net	228	549
Total other income (expense)	(214)	(49)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	10,554	5,104
Income tax expense	3,377	1,451
NET INCOME	7,177	3,653
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	45
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS	$ 7,179	$ 3,698
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:
Basic	4,917	5,008
Diluted	4,936	5,017
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic	$ 1.46	$ 0.74
Diluted	$ 1.45	$ 0.74