The invention discloses a test system and method for the short-circuit bearing capability of a distribution transformer. An alternating-current power source is connected to an input terminal of a phase shifting transformer through an input line; and an incoming line switch for adjusting connection or disconnection of the input line is arranged at the input line. The output terminal of the phase shifting transformer is connected to an input terminal of a power unit group; the output terminal of the power unit group is connected to an output line; and an outgoing line switch for adjusting the connection or disconnection of the output line is arranged at the output line. The power unit group includes a plurality of power units that are connected in parallel; and each power unit includes a rectifying circuit, an energy storage capacitor and an inverter circuit. The output terminal of a controller is connected with a control terminal of the power unit group to adjust parameters of the powerunit group, so that an alternating-current voltage is outputted stably. Therefore, the cost for testing the short-circuit bearing capability of a distribution transformer can be lowered; the requirement on the field by the test system can be reduced; the test difficulty is reduced; and the test efficiency is improved.