The subject area of the paper concerns determination of possibility and application scope suggestion for the optical spectrophotometry method in the linear isolators diagnosis. Measurements results of the optical radiation emitted by partial discharges generated on a model of bushing isolator, which was placed in the air, are presented in the paper. Recording was done by use of a spectrophotometer that enabled for measurement of optical radiation in the range from 250 to 1700 nm. The main aim of laboratory research works performed was to estimate the influence of the supply voltage value changes in range from 0 to 60 kV on the intensity and character of the optical radiation spectrum emitted by surface partial discharges occurring on the ceramic insulating surface of the bushing isolator. In the scope of research works, analysis of voltage value changes influence on the gathered spectra was performed while its accretion and decrease was investigated. Furthermore, the measurements and analysis performed enclose the influence estimation of the time, when the voltage was attached to the high voltage electrode, on the proceeding of the optical phenomena connected with generation of surface partial discharges. In addition a comparative analysis of measurements results gathered for two designed and implemented models of bushing insulators, which differ in geometric dimensions, was performed.