Provided is a system for directly sensing, measuring, or monitoring the temperature of an electrical conductor (31) of a power cable (10). A temperature sensitive capacitor (21C) is disposed in direct thermal contact with the electrical conductor (31). The temperature sensitive capacitor (21C) includes a dielectric material that has a dielectric constant variable with the temperature of the electrical conductor (31). The temperature of the electrical conductor (31) can be sensed, measured, or monitored by measuring the capacitance of the temperature sensitive capacitor (21C).