Which statement is true regarding bonding methods in hazardous locations?

In hazardous locations, bonding methods are crucial to ensure safety and reduce the risk of electrical hazards. The statement that they must return to the service grounding point is true because proper bonding requires a complete electrical connection that mitigates the potential for dangerous voltage differences. By connecting to a service grounding point, the system creates a reference point for the electrical system, which helps prevent potential differences that could lead to sparks or electrical fires in an environment where flammable materials or gases may be present.

Returning to the service grounding point ensures that any stray currents are safely conducted away, thus minimizing the risk of ignition. This is especially important in hazardous locations, where the consequences of electrical failure can be catastrophic. Proper bonding also facilitates effective operation of overcurrent protection devices, which can help prevent electrical hazards.

The other options are not applicable because they do not align with the safety standards and practices necessary in hazardous environments. Skipping intervening points can create weaknesses in the grounding system, simple connections may not suffice in terms of safety, and omitting bonding due to equipment being metal disregards the inherent risks associated with any potential electrical faults. Hence, adhering to bonding methods that return to the service grounding point is essential for maintaining safety in hazardous locations.