The white neutral is often referred to as common but the colored wires are both used as hot wires alternately as the possible switch positions are made. Turn power back on at the breaker.

Connecting A Leviton 3 Way Dimmer Switch To New 3 Way Circuit
How to identify the common wire on a 3 way switch. It is usually a black wire. Probe the wires at the disconnected switch. If i find a hot wire then go flip a switch elsewhere in the circuit and probe again. The hot wire from the breaker usually black neutral. Shut power off at the breaker for the circuit. Iâ ve decided to put this faq together to help those with questions about installing ge 3 way switches.
The switch wiring for three ways is normally red black and white. The brilliant control can automatically detect which wire is line and which is load so they are interchangeable when installing in a single pole configuration. If the white is correctly used for neutral the connected switching wires are red and black. Pick a switch and disconnect it. If the hot wire remains hot i have found the most upstream line wire. In a 3 way configuration the line wire should be connected to the common terminal of the brilliant control.