A method and apparatus for testing a pulse oximeter which is based on the concept of an electrical interface between the testing instrument and the oximeter rather than an optical interface. The pulse oximeter signal processor is tested separately from the probe, and still further, the optical elements, that is, the LEDs and the photodiode, of the probe are tested separately from the probe cable. With the probe disconnected from the oximeter, a modulated electrical test signal representative of SpO. sub.2 values and other parameters is generated in response to an electrical signal from the oximeter, and the test signal is applied to the oximeter signal processor, whereby the display of the oximeter shows a value of SpO.sub.2 which is compared with the SpO.sub.2 value represented by the test signal. Independently, the probe including the probe cable, the LEDs and the photodiode are respectively and separately subjected to continuity and optical sensitivity tests. Each of the main components of the oximeter is thereby separately analyzed, and the source of a defect is isolated.
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