How are the traveler wires typically differentiated from the common wire?

Traveler wires are typically differentiated from the common wire by their color. In many wiring systems, particularly in residential electrical wiring for three-way switches, the traveler wires usually have a distinct color that sets them apart from the common wire. This color coding helps electricians and anyone working with the wiring to easily identify which wires are used as travelers and which is the common wire, reducing the risk of errors during installation or troubleshooting.

While length, insulation, and connections are important aspects in wiring, they are not standard means of differentiation. For instance, traveler wires can be the same length as the common wire, and while insulation is indeed necessary for safety, it doesn't serve as a distinguishing feature. Additionally, traveler wires are not necessarily connected in parallel since they are part of a switching system that works in conjunction with the common wire to control the flow of electricity to a light fixture from two different switch locations.