The invention relates to a cable partial discharge positioning and identification method, comprising the steps of: 1) a positioning device detecting current traveling-wave signals in real time through a partial discharge detector installed on a cable line to be detected; 2) according to abnormal traveling-wave signals in the current traveling-wave signals, obtaining positions which may generate partial discharge on the cable line, and constructing an X-q-t three-dimensional distribution map according to the positions which may generate partial discharge in the abnormal traveling-wave signals, signal size and time; and 3) according to the X-q-t three-dimensional distribution map, screening accurate positions generating partial discharge from the positions which may generate partial discharge through a partial discharge signal determination method. Compared with the prior art, the cable partial discharge positioning and identification method can position before determination, and has the advantages of reliable principle, sound distinguishing effect, and high precision.