A system configured for the detection of a defect in an overhead electrical cable, comprising: an overhead electrical cable (120A, 120B) comprising a fiber-reinforced composite strength member (126, 128) and an electrical conductor (122a, 124a, 124b) disposed around and supported by the strength member to form the electrical cable, the strength member comprising at least a first strength element (127, 129, 426, 720) having a longitudinal central axis, the first strength element comprising: a binding matrix; a plurality of reinforcing fibers operatively disposed within the binding matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite; at least a first optical fiber (323, 432) embedded within the fiber-reinforced composite and extending from a first end of the strength element to a second end of the strength element, wherein the first and second ends of the strength element each comprise a planar surface and wherein the first optical fiber does not extend beyond the planar surface of the first and second ends of the strength element; and a light transmitting device (450, 550) operatively connected to a first end of the strength member, the light transmitting device comprising a light source that is operatively connected to a power source and is configured to transmit light having a wavelength of at least about 300 nm and not greater than about 1700 nm into the first end of the first optical fiber; and a light detecting device (460, 660) operatively connected to a second end of the strength member, the light detecting device comprising a light sensor that is configured to detect the light transmitted by the light source through the second end of the first optical fiber. an overhead electrical cable (120A, 120B) comprising a fiber-reinforced composite strength member (126, 128) and an electrical conductor (122a, 124a, 124b) disposed around and supported by the strength member to form the electrical cable, the strength member comprising at least a first strength element (127, 129, 426, 720) having a longitudinal central axis, the first strength element comprising: a binding matrix; a plurality of reinforcing fibers operatively disposed within the binding matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite; at least a first optical fiber (323, 432) embedded within the fiber-reinforced composite and extending from a first end of the strength element to a second end of the strength element, wherein the first and second ends of the strength element each comprise a planar surface and wherein the first optical fiber does not extend beyond the planar surface of the first and second ends of the strength element; and a binding matrix; a plurality of reinforcing fibers operatively disposed within the binding matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite; at least a first optical fiber (323, 432) embedded within the fiber-reinforced composite and extending from a first end of the strength element to a second end of the strength element, wherein the first and second ends of the strength element each comprise a planar surface and wherein the first optical fiber does not extend beyond the planar surface of the first and second ends of the strength element; and a light transmitting device (450, 550) operatively connected to a first end of the strength member, the light transmitting device comprising a light source that is operatively connected to a power source and is configured to transmit light having a wavelength of at least about 300 nm and not greater than about 1700 nm into the first end of the first optical fiber; and a light detecting device (460, 660) operatively connected to a second end of the strength member, the light detecting device comprising a light sensor that is configured to detect the light transmitted by the light source through the second end of the first optical fiber.