Abstract: To solve the problem of single-phase grounding fault processing for neutral point non-effective grounding in distribution network, an automatic processing scheme for single-phase grounding faults in distribution network based on fault-phase grounding approach is proposed. The automation system consists of a fault-phase grounding arc-extinguishing line selection device in the substation and fault-phase grounding start-up protection devices deployed to the feeder switches. By adopting the fault-phase grounding method to achieve the reliable arc-extinguishing of single-phase grounding faults, the characteristics of zero-sequence voltage and zero-sequence current variations before and after the fault-phase grounding disconnection are used to achieve the line selection, location and isolation of permanent single-phase grounding fault and power restoration of sound district. By analyzing the variations of zero-sequence voltage and zero-sequence current of the system before and after the fault-phase grounding disconnection, a single-phase grounding line selection and location criterion based on the fundamental zero-sequence current ratio before and after the fault-phase grounding disconnection is constructed. The key technical problems, such as the start-up criterion for single-phase grounding fault processing, the detecting of the fault-phase grounding disconnection moment, and the necessity of throwing in a resistance to the neutral point before the fault-phase grounding disconnection are discussed in detail. Combined with an example, the proposed processing process for single-phase grounding fault is explained and experimental verification is carried out. The results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method