A detection system for a capacitor of a power inverter of an electric vehicle includes a protection circuit including a current sensor and a power switch having a first terminal in communication with a battery system of the electric vehicle. The protection circuit is configured to selectively generate a pulse and to sense a measured current flowing through the power switch. A voltage sensor configured to sense a measured voltage across the capacitor. A controller in communication with the voltage sensor and the protection circuit is configured to estimate a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the measured current and the measured voltage.