<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-4
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>l87514aex4.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 4
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       Exhibit 4


      DESCRIPTION OF STOCK CERTIFICATE OF COMMON STOCK (PAR VALUE $2.00) OF
                         PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY


The face of the certificate has a blue border which begins 0.4375 inches from
the edge on all four sides of the page. The blue border is 0.75 inches wide and
contains thin, white, web-like lines which form a wave design along the outside
edge of all four sides of the border. The middle of the border has a darker blue
background and oval shapes formed by the thin, white, web-like lines; two small
circles are placed between every oval pattern. The inner-most edge of the border
has a series of half-circles made from the white web-lines.

The upper-left and upper-right corners of the certificate border contain
web-like lines which form an irregularly shaped circular pattern. The upper-left
corner is framed by leafy scrolls in the lower right corner which extend beyond
the edges of the border and the upper-right corner is framed by leafy scrolls in
the lower left corner which extend beyond the edges of the border.

The top left side of the white space within the border contains an irregularly
shaped oval pattern of blue lines. Within this oval is a light blue octagon
shape which contains the words "NUMBER" printed in white ink and contains a
letter printed in black ink and a number printed in red ink. The corresponding
top right side contains the same shape and contains the words "SHARES" printed
in white ink and would contain the number of shares issued to the certificate
holder.

The bottom center edge of the border houses a large, blue circle which contains
the words "SEAL" in bold, black print in the middle and the word "OHIO" in
smaller print along the bottom half of the circle. The words "PREFORMED LINE
PRODUCTS COMPANY", in black ink, are arranged in a circular pattern along the
inside edge of the circle.

The center of the top edge of the border contains the start of a thick blue
circle which then continues in the area of white below the border's edge. The
circle contains a picture of a bald eagle, perched on a rock, looking over its
left shoulder. Trees and clouds are visible behind the eagle. The picture is
sketched in shades of blue and ends in a thick blue line which extends 5.5
inches horizontally. The bottom left and right corners of the circle containing
the picture are framed with large leafy scrolls in a horizontal position; the
upper corners have smaller leafy scrolls in a vertical position.

Below the picture of the eagle and the thick blue line, in the center of the
certificate, the following text is visible:  INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF OHIO.  The next line is written in scroll font as follows: Preformed
Line Products Company.
<PAGE>   2
The next line contains bold, black font which reads "This Certifies that" and
would be followed by the shareholders name and then continues with the words "is
the holder of" in smaller text. The next line contains a black lined box which
contains the following "CUSIP 740444 10 4".

The next line of text contains the words "FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK, OF THE PAR VALUE OF TWO DOLLARS ($2.00) EACH, OF" followed by a
line of bold, scroll font which reads "Preformed Line Products Company,". The
following word complete the text of the body of the certificate:

"transferable on the books of the Corporation, in person or by duly authorized
attorney, upon surrender of this certificate, properly endorsed.

      This certifies and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be
held subject to all the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the
Corporation, filed in the Office of the Secretary of the State of Ohio, to all
of which the holder, by acceptance hereof, assents.

      WITNESS the seal of the Corporation and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.

Dated" which would be followed by the issue date printed on a line.

The lower left corner of the certificate contains the signature of J. Richard
Hamilton and below the signature is printed his title, "SECRETARY"; the lower
right corner of the certificate contains the signature of Jon R. Ruhlman and
below his signature is printed his title, "CHAIRMAN".

The following text is aligned vertically along the right inside edge of the
border in the lower half of the page:

"Countersigned and Registered:

NATIONAL CITY BANK
(Cleveland, Ohio)       Transfer Agent and Registrar.

                        By
                           -----------------------------------
                                Authorized Signature"



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
