Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Jun. 28, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include Belden Inc. and all of its subsidiaries (the Company, us, we, or our). We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions in consolidation. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements presented as of any date other than December 31, 2019: •Are prepared from the books and records without audit, and •Are prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete statements, but •Include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data contained in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Business Description We are a global supplier of specialty networking solutions built around two global business platforms - Enterprise Solutions and Industrial Solutions. Our comprehensive portfolio of solutions enables customers to transmit and secure data, sound, and video for mission critical applications across complex enterprise and industrial environments. Effective January 1, 2020, we transferred our West Penn Wire business and multi-conductor product lines from the Enterprise Solutions segment to the Industrial Solutions segment as a result of a shift in responsibilities among the segments. We have recast the prior period segment information to conform to the change in the composition of reportable segments. Reporting Periods Our fiscal year and fiscal fourth quarter both end on December 31. Our fiscal first quarter ends on the Sunday falling closest to 91 days after December 31, which was March 29, 2020, the 89th day of our fiscal year 2020. Our fiscal second and third quarters each have 91 days. The six months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 included 180 and 181 days, respectively. Fair Value Measurement Accounting guidance for fair value measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources or reflect our own assumptions of market participant valuation. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows: •Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; •Level 2 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and •Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. As of and during the three and six months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, we utilized Level 1 inputs to determine the fair value of cash equivalents, and we utilized Level 2 and Level 3 inputs to determine the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations (see Note 3) and for impairment testing (see Notes 4 and 10). We did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the six months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019. Cash and Cash Equivalents We classify cash on hand and deposits in banks, including commercial paper, money market accounts, and other investments with an original maturity of three months or less, that we hold from time to time, as cash and cash equivalents. We periodically have cash equivalents consisting of short-term money market funds and other investments. As of June 28, 2020, we did not have any such cash equivalents on hand. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve our capital for the purpose of funding operations. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. During the six months ended June 28, 2020, we paid the sellers of Snell Advanced Media (SAM) the full earnout consideration of $31.4 million in cash as per the purchase agreement. SAM was acquired on February 8, 2018 and is included in the Grass Valley disposal group. Due to the initial uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and out of an abundance of caution, we borrowed $190.0 million and subsequently repaid $100.0 million under our Revolving Credit Agreement during the second quarter. See Note 12. Contingent Liabilities We have established liabilities for environmental and legal contingencies that are probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable, the amounts of which are currently not material. We accrue environmental remediation costs based on estimates of known environmental remediation exposures developed in consultation with our environmental consultants and legal counsel. We are, from time to time, subject to routine litigation incidental to our business. These lawsuits primarily involve claims for damages arising out of the use of our products, allegations of patent or trademark infringement, and litigation and administrative proceedings involving employment matters and commercial disputes. Based on facts currently available, we believe the disposition of the claims that are pending or asserted will not have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow. As of June 28, 2020, we were party to standby letters of credit, bank guaranties, and surety bonds totaling $7.7 million, $4.1 million, and $3.3 million, respectively. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue consistent with the principles as outlined in the following five step model: (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. See Note 2. Subsequent Events We evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date through the financial statement issuance date for appropriate accounting and disclosure. See Note 19. Noncontrolling Interest We have a 51% ownership percentage in a joint venture with Shanghai Hi-Tech Control System Co, Ltd (Hite). The purpose of the joint venture is to develop and provide certain Industrial Solutions products and integrated solutions to customers in China. Belden and Hite are committed to fund $1.53 million and $1.47 million, respectively, to the joint venture in the future. The joint venture is determined to not have sufficient equity at risk; therefore, it is considered a variable interest entity. We have determined that Belden is the primary beneficiary of the joint venture, due to both our ownership percentage and our control over the activities of the joint venture that most significantly impact its economic performance based on the terms of the joint venture agreement with Hite. Because Belden is the primary beneficiary of the joint venture, we have consolidated the joint venture in our financial statements. The results of the joint venture attributable to Hite’s ownership are presented as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The joint venture is not material to our Condensed Consolidated financial statements as of or for the periods ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019. Furthermore, certain subsidiaries of our Opterna business, which we acquired in April of 2019 include noncontrolling interests. Because we have a controlling financial interest in these subsidiaries, they are consolidated into our financial statements. The results of these subsidiaries were consolidated into our financial statements as of the acquisition date. The results that are attributable to the noncontrolling interest holders are presented as net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. An immaterial amount of Opterna's annual revenues are generated from transactions with the noncontrolling interests. The subsidiaries of Opterna that include noncontrolling interests are not material to our Condensed Consolidated financial statements as of or for the periods ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019. Current-Year Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Under the new standard, we are required to recognize estimated credit losses expected to occur over the estimated life or remaining contractual life of an asset (which includes losses that may be incurred in future periods) using a broader range of information including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts about future economic conditions. We adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020, which resulted in