Single-line　ground　(SLG)　faults　are　the　most　common　faults　in　distribution　networks.　Cascaded　H-bridge　multilevel　converters　(CHMCs)　can　be　employed　to　suppress　fault　current　and　potential　and　prevent　hazards　promptly.　However,　their　application　is　limited　by　their　high　cost　and　large　size.　This　article　proposes　a　cost-　and　size-efficient　implementation　method　of　single-phase　CHMC　for　fault　suppression,　performed　by　minimizing　the　required　dc　sources.　In　this　method,　the　output　voltage　vector　of　CHMC　is　reconstructed　during　fault　elimination　by　two　mutually　perpendicular　subvoltage　vectors,　one　perpendicular　and　the　other　parallel　to　the　target　output　current　vector　of　CHMC.　The　subvoltage　parallel　to　the　target　output　current,　which　provides　all　required　active　power　output,　is　generated　using　an　H-bridge　cell　supplied　by　a　dc　source　with　minimized　capacity.　The　remaining　H-bridge　cells　generate　the　subvoltage　perpendicular　to　the　target　output　current　without　any　dc　source　employment　since　they　are　solely　responsible　for　reactive　power　output,　thus　maintaining　their　dc　capacitor　voltages.　The　simulation　study　and　experimental　validation　have　been　conducted,　and　the　results　demonstrate　that　not　only　is　the　proposed　method　cost-　and　size-effective　but　also　effectively　ensures　SLG　fault　elimination.　　©　1982-2012　IEEE.