Purpose. The global development of high-voltage direct current transmission has led to a growing interest in partial discharge measurement and analysis at direct current voltage. Partial discharge measurements in dry and moistened insulation under alternating and direct current voltages were performed. Methodology. Technique of electrical detection of partial discharges was applied. Measuring system when coupling device is connected in series with the test object was used. Results. The impact of partial discharges, mainly corona discharge, on the environment was reviewed. The effect of insulation wetting on the characteristics of partial discharges at various voltage waveforms was studied. Under a direct current voltage conditions, a removal of absorbed moisture as influencing factor leads to the almost complete elimination of partial discharges and a decrease in their amplitude by more than 90% compared to moistened sample. Originality. Modified measuring system allows partial discharge measurement at various voltage waveforms. Partial discharge measurements at alternating and direct current voltages were carried out under the same conditions, including the same magnitude of applied voltage and moisture content in the insulation. The applied voltage varied from 7.3 kV to 9.0 kV. The moisture content in the insulation varied from 2.0% to 12.0%. The main attention is paid to the effect of voltage ripples on the characteristics of partial discharges. Practical value. The data obtained contribute to the study of the partial discharges phenomenon when the insulation is exposed to non-standard waveforms of applied voltage. Conclusions. Phase-resolved partial discharge analysis can be used for a ripple voltage waveform too. The required phase angle assignment to a single partial discharge event becomes possible due to the ripple peaks being present in the rectified voltage oscillogram. Future efforts for this research should be focused on specific questions regarding application of three-capacitance model for simulation of partial discharges under ripple voltage conditions and study of environmental aspects. References 19, figures 7.