Here's why:
* They "travel" between the switches: They carry the electrical signal back and forth between the two switches, allowing you to control the light from either location.
* Not the "hot" wire: The "hot" wire (the one carrying power from the power source) is connected to the first 3-way switch, and the "neutral" wire is connected to the light fixture. The traveler wires are the only ones that run between the two 3-way switches.
Important Note: In a 3-way switch setup, you'll have *two* traveler wires. They are usually colored black and red, but sometimes other colors are used. It's crucial to correctly identify and connect them to ensure the circuit works properly.
