A method of detecting a partial discharge in an electrical asset includes sensing of a discharge current in the electrical asset using a transducer and responsively providing a transducer output; processing the transducer output by comparing the transducer output to a baseline; calculating an accumulated amount by which the transducer output exceeds the baseline; decreasing the accumulated amount with time; detecting partial discharge in the electrical asset based upon the accumulated amount; and providing an output related to detected partial discharge. A partial discharge detection system for detecting a partial discharge in an electrical asset includes a transducer configured to receive a signal from the electrical asset generated due to an occurrence of partial discharging in the electrical asset and responsively providing a transducer output. Processing circuitry compares the transducer output to a baseline, calculates an accumulated amount by which the transducer output exceeds the baseline, decreases the accumulated amount with time, and detects partial discharge in the electrical asset based upon the accumulated amount. Output circuitry provides an output related to detected partial discharge.