The disclosed embodiments relate to an electrosurgical system, to a method for operating an electrosurgical system, and to an electrode for an electric surgical system. An image detection system of the surgical instrument detects an image of the electrode. The corresponding image data is compared with data sets in a database, in which an identifying feature of the electrode and at least one operating parameter for the electrode are assigned to each other. After the electrode type has been identified, the corresponding operating parameters are transmitted to a controller of the surgical instrument.