The　single　line-to-ground　(SLG)　fault　is　a　research　focus,　considering　it　is　amongst　the　top　frequent　occurrences　of　faults　in　distribution　systems.　The　neutral　point　treatment　is　crucial　for　continuous　safe　operation　of　distribution　systems.　However,　the　traditional　arc　suppression　coil　cannot　compensate　for　the　active　component　in　ground　current.　Therefore,　we　present　a　single-phase　flexible　arc　suppression　device　(SFASD)　based　on　backstepping　control　and　second-order　generalized　integrator　phase-locked　loop　(BSC-SOGI-PLL)　method.　The　SFASD　with　a　cascaded　H-bridge　(CHB)　topology　is　connected　to　the　neutral　point　of　distribution　systems　for　eliminating　the　ground　current.　The　comparisons　between　the　BSC-SOGI-PLL　and　the　BSC　method　concerning　the　effect　of　arc　suppression　are　discussed.　The　effectiveness　of　the　proposed　SFASD　based　on　the　BSC-SOGI-PLL　components　for　arc　suppression　is　verified　on　the　scale-down　experimental　platform.　©　2020　Elsevier　Ltd