There is a high risk of insulation system dielectric instability when partial discharge (PD) occurs. Therefore, measurement and monitoring of PD is an important preventive tool to safeguard high-voltage equipment from wanton damage. PD can be detected using optical method to increase the detection threshold and to improve the performance of on-line measurement of PD in noise environment. The PD emitted energy as acoustic emission. We can use this emitted energy to detect PD signal. The best method to detect PD in power transformer is by using acoustic emission. Optical sensor has some advantages such as; high sensitivity, more accuracy small size. Furthermore, in on-site measurements and laboratory experiments, it isoptical methodthat gives very moderate signal attenuations. This paper reviews the available PD detection methods (involving high voltage equipment) such as; acoustic detection and optical detection. The advantages and disadvantages of each method have been explored and compared. The review suggests that optical detection techniques provide many advantages from the consideration of accuracy and suitability for the applications when compared to other techniques.