The invention discloses a system for detecting and locating a faulty heating point of substation electrical equipment through an infrared array. The system comprises a plurality of infrared probe groups correspondingly arranged near a plurality of pieces of electrical equipment. Each infrared probe group includes at least one infrared probe. The system further comprises a signal processing system connected with the infrared probes. The infrared probes in corresponding positions in each infrared probe group face the same direction, and part or all of the infrared probes point to the electrical equipment in corresponding positions. The signal processing system judges whether there is a faulty heating point and the position of the electrical equipment where a faulty heating point is located according to infrared energy transmitted by the infrared probes. In addition, the invention discloses a corresponding method. The influence of infrared background noise can be suppressed effectively. Detection error can be reduced greatly. Whether there is a faulty heating point can be detected and judged in real time and accurately, and the position of a faulty heating point can be located. Safe and reliable operation of an unattended substation can be guaranteed.