Since the introduction of partial discharge (PD) testing four decades ago, the majority of conventional electrical measurements of PD is performed with detectors operating in the 10 kHz to 1 MHz range. In the past decade, advances in electronic instrumentation have permitted the measurement of PD with bandwidths up to 1 GHz. Since PD pulses are fundamentally events with durations as low as a few ns, PD measurements with such ultrawideband (UWB) detection methods can provide several benefits in certain situations. In particular, UWB detection can improve the fundamental signal-tonoise ratio, permitting reliable PD detection at 0.01 pC. Additionally, using the properties of electromagnetic wave propagation associated with ns duration current pulses, methods to eliminate external noise on a pulseby-pulse basis can be implemented with UWB detection. Finally, UWB detection of the PD current pulse can lead to greater fundamental understanding of the physical processes of PD in solid dielectrics. UWB detection has had an Important impact on PD measurements in gas-insulated switchgear insulating spacers and online generator stator winding PD tests. Examples of the application of UWB detection systems to these areas are presented.