In　this　article,　a　hypersensitive　multispectral　partial　discharge　(PD)　optical　sensor　array　was　developed,　by　which　the　optical　pulses　in　seven　independent　bands　can　be　acquired　simultaneously.　By　using　this　sensor　array,　the　multispectral　pulses　for　three　typical　PDs　in　gas　insulated　system　were　obtained　experimentally　and　analyzed　with　phase-based　(phase-resolved)　and　nonphase-based　(spectral-ratio-based)　multispectral　characteristics,　respectively.　It　indicates　that　the　multispectral　characteristics　produced　by　a　specific　discharge　defect　provide　unique　spectral　signatures　in　discharge　mode　as　well　as　stage　evolution.　Based　on　the　intrinsic　relationship　between　the　discharge　feature　and　optical　emission　spectrum,　we　adopted　the　classification　algorithms　and　spectral-ratio-reserved　multispectral　characteristics　to　implement　pattern　recognition　as　well　as　assessment　on　the　three　typical　PDs,　which　obtained　the　hit　ratios　exceeding　91%.　In　principle,　such　detection　approach　also　supports　the　phase-independent　PD　diagnosis　especially　for　dc　power　equipment.