A partial discharge monitoring system, comprising multiple partial discharge transducers, each partial discharge transducer comprising: a partial discharge, PD, sensor configured to sense a partial discharge event of an electrical system; and at least one light emitting device, LED, in series with the PD sensor, the LED configured to: receive an electrical sensor signal from the PD sensor; and generate an analog light signal in response to the electrical sensor signal; wherein a response time of the LED comprises: a rise time greater than about 5 ns; and a fall time greater than about 5 ns; each PD transducer further comprising: an amplifier coupled between the PD sensor and the at least one LED; and at least one resistor configured to limit current to the at least one LED; and the PD monitoring system further comprising: at least one optical fiber optically coupled to receive light from the at least one LED and configured to carry the analog light signal from a location proximate to the electrical system to a location remote from the electrical system; at least one light receiving device at the remote location configured to generate an analog electrical signal in response to the received analog light signal; and a PD detection processor, configured to either: compare a signature of the electrical sensor signal or a signal derived therefrom to a previously obtained signature of the electrical sensor signal or the signal derived therefrom; and determine degradation of the electrical system based on the comparison; or determine one or both of usage and load pattern of the electrical system based on characteristics of PD events; and predict failure of the electrical system based on the one or both of usage and load pattern. a partial discharge, PD, sensor configured to sense a partial discharge event of an electrical system; and at least one light emitting device, LED, in series with the PD sensor, the LED configured to: receive an electrical sensor signal from the PD sensor; and generate an analog light signal in response to the electrical sensor signal; wherein a response time of the LED comprises: a rise time greater than about 5 ns; and a fall time greater than about 5 ns; receive an electrical sensor signal from the PD sensor; and generate an analog light signal in response to the electrical sensor signal; wherein a response time of the LED comprises: a rise time greater than about 5 ns; and a fall time greater than about 5 ns; a rise time greater than about 5 ns; and a fall time greater than about 5 ns; each PD transducer further comprising: an amplifier coupled between the PD sensor and the at least one LED; and at least one resistor configured to limit current to the at least one LED; and the PD monitoring system further comprising: at least one optical fiber optically coupled to receive light from the at least one LED and configured to carry the analog light signal from a location proximate to the electrical system to a location remote from the electrical system; at least one light receiving device at the remote location configured to generate an analog electrical signal in response to the received analog light signal; and an amplifier coupled between the PD sensor and the at least one LED; and at least one resistor configured to limit current to the at least one LED; and the PD monitoring system further comprising: at least one optical fiber optically coupled to receive light from the at least one LED and configured to carry the analog light signal from a location proximate to the electrical system to a location remote from the electrical system; at least one light receiving device at the remote location configured to generate an analog electrical signal in response to the received analog light signal; and at least one optical fiber optically coupled to receive light from the at least one LED and configured to carry the analog light signal from a location proximate to the electrical system to a location remote from the electrical system; at least one light receiving device at the remote location configured to generate an analog electrical signal in response to the received analog light signal; and a PD detection processor, configured to either: compare a signature of the electrical sensor signal or a signal derived therefrom to a previously obtained signature of the electrical sensor signal or the signal derived therefrom; and determine degradation of the electrical system based on the comparison; or determine one or both of usage and load pattern of the electrical system based on characteristics of PD events; and predict failure of the electrical system based on the one or both of usage and load pattern. compare a signature of the electrical sensor signal or a signal derived therefrom to a previously obtained signature of the electrical sensor signal or the signal derived therefrom; and determine degradation of the electrical system based on the comparison; or determine one or both of usage and load pattern of the electrical system based on characteristics of PD events; and predict failure of the electrical system based on the one or both of usage and load pattern.