A method for determining probability of tissue damage, the method comprising: providing a plurality of return electrodes (14, 15, 16) adhered to a patient and adapted to couple to an electrosurgical generator that is configured to generate an electrosurgical current, wherein a current monitor (43, 53, 63) and a switching component (44, 54, 64) are connected in series with each of the plurality of the return electrodes; measuring the electrosurgical current passing through each of a plurality of the return electrodes using respective current monitors (43, 53, 63); calculating a total return current value I TOTAL by summation of the measured currents; calculating a threshold current I TH based on the formula I TH = I TOTAL / n + TOLERANCE where n is the number of return electrodes and TOLERANCE is a predetermined current value representative of the current value for any particular return electrode exceeding the average return electrode current value; determining the balance of a current load among the plurality of the return electrodes, wherein the step of determining the balance of a current load further includes the steps of comparing the respective currents passing through the plurality of the return electrodes to determine a highest return electrode current value I high and comparing the highest return electrode current value I high with I TH to determine if the highest return electrode current exceeds the predetermined allowable current threshold; and controlling each of the switching components to adjust the current passing through each of the return electrodes to balance the current load by opening a circuit of the at least one return electrode, wherein the circuit of the at least one return electrode is opened for at least a time-off period, the method comprising calculating the time-off period as a function of the electrosurgical current measured by the current monitor using the formula: Toff = Toffmax − Toffmin / I TOTAL − I TH 2 * I high 2, wherein Toffmax is the maximum off-time period, which is the longest possible duration of time that a particular return electrode is disconnected, Toffmin is the minimum allowable period of time during which a particular return electrode is disconnected, and the Toffmax and Toffmin values are preset prior to the start of the procedure either automatically or manually. providing a plurality of return electrodes (14, 15, 16) adhered to a patient and adapted to couple to an electrosurgical generator that is configured to generate an electrosurgical current, wherein a current monitor (43, 53, 63) and a switching component (44, 54, 64) are connected in series with each of the plurality of the return electrodes; measuring the electrosurgical current passing through each of a plurality of the return electrodes using respective current monitors (43, 53, 63); calculating a total return current value I TOTAL by summation of the measured currents; calculating a threshold current I TH based on the formula I TH = I TOTAL / n + TOLERANCE where n is the number of return electrodes and TOLERANCE is a predetermined current value representative of the current value for any particular return electrode exceeding the average return electrode current value; determining the balance of a current load among the plurality of the return electrodes, wherein the step of determining the balance of a current load further includes the steps of comparing the respective currents passing through the plurality of the return electrodes to determine a highest return electrode current value I high and comparing the highest return electrode current value I high with I TH to determine if the highest return electrode current exceeds the predetermined allowable current threshold; and controlling each of the switching components to adjust the current passing through each of the return electrodes to balance the current load by opening a circuit of the at least one return electrode, wherein the circuit of the at least one return electrode is opened for at least a time-off period, the method comprising calculating the time-off period as a function of the electrosurgical current measured by the current monitor using the formula: Toff = Toffmax − Toffmin / I TOTAL − I TH 2 * I high 2, wherein Toffmax is the maximum off-time period, which is the longest possible duration of time that a particular return electrode is disconnected, Toffmin is the minimum allowable period of time during which a particular return electrode is disconnected, and the Toffmax and Toffmin values are preset prior to the start of the procedure either automatically or manually.