The present invention is directed to a system and method for detecting impaired electric power equipment. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may receive electromagnetic radiation and process the resulting signal. For example, signal processing may be used to identify electromagnetic radiation having a particular pattern that is characteristic of electric power equipment. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention may determine the time and/or location during testing. As a result, the present invention may be useful for stationary and/or mobile testing of an electrical system.