A system for evaluating a high voltage asset (HV asset) comprises a PD detector disposed in the HV asset. The PD detector comprises an electrical coupler configured to couple electrical disturbances indicative of a partial discharge from a high voltage conductor of the HV asset to an electrical-to-optical converter. The electrical-to-optical converter comprises a light emitter, and is configured to convert the electrical disturbances to a light signal. An optical power receiver is disposed in the high voltage asset and coupled to the PD detector. The optical power receiver is configured to receive optical power from an external optical power source via a non-conducting optical fiber arrangement. The electrical-to-optical converter is configured to communicate the light signal indicative of the partial discharge to an electronic device external of high voltage asset via the non-conducting optical fiber arrangement.