An electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical generator including an active terminal and a return terminal; an electrosurgical instrument including an active electrode; a return instrument including a return electrode; an active plug configured to connect to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator: a return plug configured to connect to the return terminal of the electrosurgical generator to electrically couple the return electrode to the return terminal; an active cable extending from the return plug to the electrosurgical instrument, the active cable in electrical communication with the active electrode; a return cable extending from the return plug to the return instrument; a connector cable extending from the active plug to the return plug; and a mechanical switch mechanism disposed within the return plug, the mechanical switch mechanism having a disengaged position in which the active plug is electrically disconnected from the active cable and an engaged position in which the active plug is in electrical communication with the active cable, characterised in that wherein the mechanical switch mechanism includes a plunger translatable within the return plug, the plunger including a tip portion extending from a leading end of the return plug in the disengaged position and disposed within the return plug in the engaged position wherein the tip portion is configured to engage the return terminal as the return plug is connected to the return terminal such that engagement between the tip portion and the return terminal transitions the mechanical switch mechanism from the disengaged position to the engaged position. an electrosurgical generator including an active terminal and a return terminal; an electrosurgical instrument including an active electrode; a return instrument including a return electrode; an active plug configured to connect to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator: a return plug configured to connect to the return terminal of the electrosurgical generator to electrically couple the return electrode to the return terminal; an active cable extending from the return plug to the electrosurgical instrument, the active cable in electrical communication with the active electrode; a return cable extending from the return plug to the return instrument; a connector cable extending from the active plug to the return plug; and a mechanical switch mechanism disposed within the return plug, the mechanical switch mechanism having a disengaged position in which the active plug is electrically disconnected from the active cable and an engaged position in which the active plug is in electrical communication with the active cable, characterised in that wherein the mechanical switch mechanism includes a plunger translatable within the return plug, the plunger including a tip portion extending from a leading end of the return plug in the disengaged position and disposed within the return plug in the engaged position wherein the tip portion is configured to engage the return terminal as the return plug is connected to the return terminal such that engagement between the tip portion and the return terminal transitions the mechanical switch mechanism from the disengaged position to the engaged position. a return plug configured to connect to the return terminal of the electrosurgical generator to electrically couple the return electrode to the return terminal; an active cable extending from the return plug to the electrosurgical instrument, the active cable in electrical communication with the active electrode; a return cable extending from the return plug to the return instrument; a connector cable extending from the active plug to the return plug; and a mechanical switch mechanism disposed within the return plug, the mechanical switch mechanism having a disengaged position in which the active plug is electrically disconnected from the active cable and an engaged position in which the active plug is in electrical communication with the active cable, characterised in that wherein the mechanical switch mechanism includes a plunger translatable within the return plug, the plunger including a tip portion extending from a leading end of the return plug in the disengaged position and disposed within the return plug in the engaged position wherein the tip portion is configured to engage the return terminal as the return plug is connected to the return terminal such that engagement between the tip portion and the return terminal transitions the mechanical switch mechanism from the disengaged position to the engaged position.