The current protection for near-zone faults of outgoing switches in distribution networks often requires setting high current values, especially for 10 kV distribution lines which typically exceed 10,000 A. However, due to the saturation phenomenon of current transformers, it is practically impossible to set a high current value, resulting in poor protection selectivity and unable to form an effective near-zone protection. This paper proposes a multi-stage current protection technology for distribution networks based on the residual voltage lockout principle, which overcomes the limitations imposed by the saturation of current transformers on setting high current values. It achieves effective protection for near-zone faults of outgoing switches in substations and ensures the release of differential protection time delays. This technology has the advantages of high protection selectivity, a simple method for current value setting, and strong generalizability. The effectiveness of this technology has been verified through theoretical analysis, calculations and field tests.