When a single-phase ground fault occurs, the transient zero sequence current will significantly increase. So, it is possible to detect whether a single-phase grounding fault has occurred in the transmission line by calculating and comparing the amplitude of transient zero sequence current. Only when the amplitude of the zero sequence voltage under the steady-state power frequency is greater than the preset threshold can the line selection device be effectively and reliably started. The instantaneous value protection device can also be used to start first, and then, the steady-state amplitude of the power frequency can be compared as the verification object.