Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus has a radio-frequency generator (11) with a variable basic power setting and to which a cutting electrode (12) and a neutral electrode (13) are connected. A power measuring device (15) is connected to the electrodes (12, 13) and acts on a regulating stage (16) which is connected to the power regulating input of the radio-frequency generator (11). The number of sparkovers within a predetermined plural number of periods is determined and is set by regulation of the output power of the radio-frequency generator (11) to a constant value which lies beneath twice the predetermined plural number.