Distribution systems are mostly composed of radial structures, which are susceptible to an increased variability and complexity of system operation due to frequent line changes during operation. When multiple changes in distribution lines occur simultaneously, the relative positions of protective devices also change. The existing protection coordination method of distribution lines is configured by considering the operation characteristics and coordination time interval (CTI) of all protective devices in series from the substation to the terminal load. Therefore, the protection coordination algorithm needs to be redesigned whenever a line is changed or a protective device is added to the distribution line for which the existing protection coordination algorithm has been set. In addition, existing protection coordination methods require complex calculations and procedures, which are subject to human errors and are less feasible for responding in real-time to changes in the distribution system. In this paper, we propose the adaptive time–current curve (TCC) method by selecting the time dial setting (TDS) and minimum response time (MRT) of individual protective devices in accordance with the relative distance based on the linear optimization technique. Using PSCAD/EMTDC, a power system analysis program, the minimum operating current and the fault current of each protective device are obtained, and the proposed protection coordination algorithm is verified according to the series configuration relationship of the protective devices. Finally, the proposed method is applied to an actual distribution line to verify the improvement over the existing protection coordination.