Abstract: An electrical surge arrester tester comprising two surge arrester test leads and a voltage generator for generating and applying DC voltage of continuously increasing magnitudes to the surge arrester test leads. A monitor is provided for continuously and simultaneously monitoring the magnitude of DC voltages being applied to, and the current being conducted across, the surge arrester test leads. A counter is provided for digitally recording the monitored firing voltage when the monitored current exceeds a preselected magnitude. A terminator circuit is provided for terminating the generation and application of voltage by the voltage generator upon recording of the firing voltage. A digital display is also provided for displaying the digitally recorded firing voltage.