An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator, a capacitive return pad, a phase detection component, and a control component. The electrosurgical generator is configured to generate electrosurgical energy. The capacitive return pad has at least one capacitive return electrode operatively coupled to the electrosurgical generator and is configured to provide a return path for the electrosurgical energy. The phase detection component is configured to determine a phase difference between the current and the voltage of the electrosurgical energy. The control component is in operative communication with the phase detection component and is configured to receive the determined phase difference from the phase detection component. The control component is configured to detect a fault in the capacitive return pad by utilizing the determined phase difference.
