Sensing principle, classification, and main properties of the optical voltage sensor based on electroluminescent effect are reviewed and summarized.Current research status and important problems to be solved for this type of voltage sensor are analyzed, and some future research topics are also proposed.The electroluminescent voltage sensor is no need of interrogation light source thus it is free from sensing performance degradation caused by the unstable light source.Additionally, it has simple configuration, small size, low weight, and low cost, and thus it is easy to achieve higher cost performance.Future research topics mainly include how to properly select the voltage sensing materials and devices, how to improve temperature and humidity stabilities of the voltage sensor,
etc.This type of voltage sensor has potential application to scientific research and experiment in the fields of electric power industry, aviation, and spacecraft,
etc.