Partial　discharge　(PD)　detection　has　proven　to　be　one　of　the　most　acceptable　techniques　for　on-line　condition　monitoring　and　predictive　maintenance　of　power　apparatus.　A　powerful　tool　for　detecting　PD　in　covered-conductor　(CC)　lines　is　urgently　needed　to　improve　the　asset　management　of　CC　overhead　distribution　lines.　In　this　paper,　an　appropriate,　portable　and　simple　system　designed　to　detect　PD　activity　in　CC　lines　and　ultimately　pinpoint　the　PD　source　is　developed　and　tested.　The　system　is　based　on　a　novel　double-side　synchronised　PD　measurement　technique　driven　by　pulse　injection.　Emphasis　is　placed　on　the　proposed　PD-location　mechanism　and　hardware　structure,　with　descriptions　of　the　pulse-injection　process,　detection　device,　synchronisation　principle　and　PD-location　algorithm.　The　system　is　simulated　using　ATP-EMTP,　and　the　simulated　results　are　found　to　be　consistent　with　the　actual　simulation　layout.　For　further　validation,　the　capability　of　the　system　is　tested　in　a　high-voltage　laboratory　experiment　using　a　10-kV　CC　line　with　cross-linked　polyethylene　insulation.