Which wire type is defined as being hot only when its partner traveler is not?

The term "traveler" refers to a specific type of wiring used in three-way and four-way switch configurations within electrical systems. In this setup, the traveler wires connect the two switches that control a light fixture from different locations.

When one switch is toggled, it allows current to flow through the traveler wire, making it "hot," while the other traveler wire is de-energized or "not hot." This alternating energy flow allows for the remote control of lighting, creating a situation where one traveler wire can be energized while the other remains off, enabling effective control of lighting from multiple locations.

This dynamic makes the traveler wire a critical component of the system, functioning exclusively in coordination with its partner wire—hence being classified as "hot" only under specific conditions depending on the state of the other traveler wire. In contrast, options such as dead, neutral, or switched wires do not describe a function tied directly to the unique operation of traveler wires in a two-switch setup. The dead wire typically indicates no current, the neutral wire serves as a return path for current, and the switched wire usually refers to a wire connected to a switch that controls the flow of electricity to a fixture.