Replacing a three-way switch is more involved than replacing a single-pole variety. Now you have traveler wires to deal with (these connect the two three-way switches) as well as the common wires.
This means the cable running between the switches is 12/3 (or 14/3) cable rather than the more common 12/2 (or 14/2).
Follow the same safety and testing procedures that you would with a single-pole switch. Because three way switches (and four-way switches) are more expensive than a common single-pole switch, you want to be certain that the switch is really broken before throwing it away and replacing it. When removing a three-way switch from its box, note to which terminal screws or
back-wired slots the wires are connected. Mark the common wire with a small piece of masking tape, or attach each wire to the new switch as you remove them from the old switch. The common terminal screw usually is copper; the traveler terminals are brass or sometimes silver. Note whether the neutral wire is being used as a hot conductor.
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