In order to solve the problems of TEV （transient earth voltage） utilization, such as single judgment criterion and low reliability of PD detection in HV switchboard, this paper discussed the method on how to make a better utilization of TEV in PD detection of metal-enclosed switchgears. Through discussing the relationship among the temporal phase, number of pulses and threshold of measuring and extracting the features corresponding to different typical defects, test results showed that the needle discharge distributed in 0°-90° and 200°-340° with low appearance probability above high measurement threshold; internal discharge distributed in 0°-90° and 270°-315°, and showed a similar decreasing trend under increasing of the threshold in the two regions; suspended discharge distributed in 0°- 135° and 180°-315° where the PD in negative half periods decreased more seriously than those in positive half with increasing threshold. These results followed the doctrine of consistency with the conclusions that were obtained by using the traditional pulse current method. The possibility of using TEV method to make identification of PD defects has been proved to prepare foriurther research. Key words： metal-enclosed switchgear; identification of defects; transient earth voltage（TEV） ; PD detection