PLUNGING TIP FOR BIPOLAR PENCIL

An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an active electrical connector and a return electrical connector configured to operably engage a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft. The housing encapsulates a pair of elongated ground plates and a pair of insulative tubes configured to house first and second ends of a wire-like active electrode. The wire-like active electrode operably couples at the first end to the active electrical connector. The elongated ground plates each include a tip at a distal end thereof configured to mutually support a donut-style insulator configured to support the wire-like active electrode therearound. A tensioning mechanism is configured to operably engage the second end of the wire-like active electrode. The tensioning mechanism cooperates with a tensioning tool to tension the wire-like active electrode about the donut-like insulator during assembly.