A method measures partial discharge pulses of a shielded cable, which has a core and a sheath. The method includes: connecting a coupling capacitor with a first connecting point of the core; providing a first, second, and third coupling unit, each having an input and a signal output; connecting the input of the first coupling unit with the coupling capacitor; connecting the input of the second coupling unit with a first connecting point of the sheath; connecting the input of the third coupling unit with a second connecting point of the sheath; providing a test voltage at the first connecting point of the core; acquiring respective measurement signals of the coupling units at their signal outputs; and determining at least one characteristic value for an apparent charge of a partial discharge pulse of the cable in dependence on the measurement signals.