I have a light fixture in my kitchen, which is connected by 2 sets of black/white/red wires. One set goes to a 3-way switch when you walk in the kitchen and the other goes to a 3-way switch on the other side of the room.

How should the wires for the fixtured be connected together? I combined the reds, blacks (including black wire from light fixture) and whites (including white wire from light fixture), but only one of the switches work. :confused:

Refer to the attachment. Each "three-way" switch (I was chastized by a Brit who said that they weren't three-way switches, but "hotel switches") has a "unique" terminal. I believe the unique terminal is a darker color, but I don't pay that much attention so I could be wrong.

Unswitched power comes in to the unique terminal of one of the switches. A pair of wires link the two non-unique terminals of the two switches. Switched power comes from the unique terminal of the switch on the right.

None of the wires should be "white". If a white wire is used, it should be taped with black tape to show that it is not a neutral. Other than that, I believe that the code allows red, blue, and black and probably other colors except possibly for green. The diagram does not show the neutrals.

Depending on how the wires run, you may have a cable with three conductors or cables with just two conductors.

Figure out where your wires run by looking in one switch box, the box where the lamp hangs, and the other switch box. Figure out using a volt meter or a lamp of some sort, which is the "line" wire (power, 110 volts) and from which box it comes. Connect that to the "Unique" terminal of the switch in the box. In the other box, figure out which wire goes to the lamp. Connect that to the unique terminal of the second switch. Connect the remaining pair of wires to the non-unique terminals of the two switches.

Note from the diagram how the switch works. The magenta lines connect one of the non-unique terminals to the "unique" terminal. The switch shows power flowing through the red line. Throw both switches and the power will go through the blue line. If either switch is thrown, the power will be switched off.

Attached Images

 

I find this site to be really good it will show you a picture to follow.3 Way Switch Wiring Diagrams | Easy to read wiring diagrams for do-it-yourselfers
Hope this helps
-matt

It's funny you say that because I found that site after I posted this and just got done wiring it exactly like this pic... and it's still not working.

Funny thing... If it were wired exactly like that, it has to work.

Unless, of course, one or both of the switches are bad, or the breaker has switched, or the light is burned out. Follow my instructions and figure out which wires are which.

Please tell us where the electrical supply for this lamp is located. Is it in the ceiling near the fixture or is it being brought to the switch and from there to the light fixture?

As to the term "Hotel Switch", that seems to be an Eurasian term. I got involved in a conversation about that the other day. Here in the U.S.A. it is a three way switch as named in the NEC manual.