Step-by-step for unravelling 3 and 4-way switches?

Ok, today I tackle the 4-way. I opened up all the switch covers, and there's 2 3-way switches and 2 4-way switches (4 total switch locations). That corresponds to the diagrams I've found.

Sooo, correct me if I'm wrong...but basically I'll just do the same thing I did before...wire nut together the wires that are connected through the switches, and then replace the one remaining with the ALC switch...right?
 
I had a similar problem with my builder. His electrician wired a 'basic' 3-way switch incorrectly. It took me a few weeks to figure this out, as I refused to believe that a licensed electrician would screw something like that up.

Your Electrician simply lost his cardboard!!!
You know what I mean, the 3-way drawing that a master electrician did for him on a piece of cardboard (top of the box the switches came in) showing how to wire it right!
 
Ok, today I tackle the 4-way. I opened up all the switch covers, and there's 2 3-way switches and 2 4-way switches (4 total switch locations). That corresponds to the diagrams I've found.

Sooo, correct me if I'm wrong...but basically I'll just do the same thing I did before...wire nut together the wires that are connected through the switches, and then replace the one remaining with the ALC switch...right?

If you are removing all but one of the 3 or 4 way switches (and replacing that remaining one with the ALC switch) you really only need to connect one set of "travelers" together. The two sets are needed because your 3 or 4 way switches have two positions and using them you need to complete the circuit in either position.

Has anyone provided you a schematic drawing of 3 and 4 way switch wiring? It really isn't difficult to understand BUT it can be hard to determine how they are wired in the real world because different folks wire them using different wire color configurations. There may be a standard, wire color wise, but if there is it often isn't followed.
 
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