I have a three wire, (red, black, white) coming into a light that I want to remove and a 2 wire (black, white) going out. I want to bypass this light so I need to connect the wires to pass the circuit through. Obviously white to white and black to black but do I join the red to the black as well?

The light may have been connected to a switch(the red wire). If where you need extending to needs to be switched possibly need to extend red and white to new switched location(another light). I would say the black and white are feeding through, maybe to a receptacle, or is the source of power. If no light is being installed, cap the red.

If the above doesn't work, post back with some details. A 3 conductor usually means 2 switches, 2 single throw ones controlling 2 different loads, or 2 double throw ones in a 3 way switch set up.

Note, you can remove the light, but you must leave the box and connections accessible. Perhaps you can find some sort of a decorative cover.

Labman,

You say the box must be left accessible. Is that required by code?

I ask this because a friend of mine moved into an older home that had 8 boxes plastered over. They were located in the wall for sconce lighting. Covers would have looked awful.

We had been tracing some wiring and made this discovery. We've now installed new sconces, and the room is beautiful.

Yes. Plumbers are allowed to leave splices behind the drywall, but not electricians.

No new light was going in so I capped the red and everything is working beautifully. I am putting up a drop ceiling so I left the box up inside the drop ceiling. Thanks for the help!