Porch Lights Scenario

[Bernman]

Posting my porch light automation programs to A) get some feedback on how to optimize (or fix them if I did something wrong), and to maybe help another beginner (like me) to get up and running.

 

Feedback/criticism is welcomed. Thx

 

Here goes...

 

Hardware

 

2x SwitchLinc 2477D for Porch lights (set up in a 3-way scene)

Motion sensor 2842-222

 

Automation Spec

 

Porch lights turn on at Sunset

[*]If the lights are off (i.e. someone decided to turn them off), and motion is detected, turn the Porch light on and leave it on

 

Porch lights turn off at 12:00am

[*]If the lights are switched on, wait 4 minutes and turn the lights off

[*]If motion is detected, and lights are off, turn lights on, wait 4 minutes and turn the lights off

 

Porch lights turn on at 4:00am

[*]If the lights are off, and motion is detected, turn the Porch lights on and leave the on

 

Porch lights turn off at Sunrise + 30 minutes

 

If someone turns the porch lights on during the day, they just stay on until the automation takes over again that evening. The lamps are LED (Philips 2700k, very pleasing color...I am using these in multiple locations through the house) so I am not too worried about wasting a day of electricity.

 

Programs

 

Main folder (no conditions)

 

Porch Light OFF

If
       Time is 12:00:00AM
    Or Time is Sunrise + 30 minutes

Then
       Set Scene 'Porch Light 3-Way' Off

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Porch Light ON

If
       Time is Sunset 
    Or Time is  4:00:00AM

Then
       Set Scene 'Porch Light 3-Way' On

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Evening Motion Folder (runs between Sunset and 11:59pm, and between 4:30am and Sunrise+20 mins)

 

Porch Motion ON

If
       Control 'Motion1-Sensor' is switched On
   And Status  'Porch Light Switch Front Door' is Off

Then
       Set Scene 'Porch Light 3-Way' On

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Midnight Motion Folder (runs from 12:00am to 4:30am)

 

Porch Motion OFF

If
       Status  'Motion1-Sensor' is Off
   And Status  'Porch Light Switch Front Door' is not Off

Then
       Wait  4 minutes 
       Set Scene 'Porch Light 3-Way' Off

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Porch Motion ON

If
       Control 'Motion1-Sensor' is switched On
   And Status  'Porch Light Switch Front Door' is Off

Then
       Set Scene 'Porch Light 3-Way' On

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

[oberkc]

Program "porch light off" will shut off scene at midnight and sunrise+30. This seems straightforward and as you say you want.

 

Program "Porch light on" will turn on scene at sunset and 0400. This seems straightforward and as you say you want.

 

Program "Porch motion on" can, perhaps, be simplified, depending on your goals (and assumes 'Porch Light Switch Front Door' is part of scene 'Porch Light 3-Way'). What happens if you delete the second condition? What is your purpose for this second condition?

 

Otherwise, I see nothing obviously wrong.

[Bernman]

The second condition in porch motion on is only to prevent unnecessary traffic of sending a command to the switch if it is already on. I think this was recommended in the "bathroom motion" code examples in the UDI wiki. Traffic on my network, particularly late at night is so low that this is likely not required, but it didn't seem like it hurt anything either.

 

Thanks for the feedback

[oberkc]

The second condition in porch motion on is only to prevent unnecessary traffic of sending a command to the switch if it is already on. I think this was recommended in the "bathroom motion" code examples in the UDI wiki. Traffic on my network, particularly late at night is so low that this is likely not required, but it didn't seem like it hurt anything either.

 

And that is the only reason I can think to have such a condition. Balance that with the possibility of comm error such that the ISY may believe a light to be on when not, causing a light not to turn on when I motion is sensed. I would prefer having higher confidence that the light goes on, rather than avoiding what (at least for me) would be inconsequential comm traffic.

 

Still, it sounds as if your understanding of how things work is good.

[Bernman]

Program "Porch motion on" can, perhaps, be simplified, depending on your goals (and assumes 'Porch Light Switch Front Door' is part of scene 'Porch Light 3-Way')...

 

The programming interface seems to only allow to test for the Status (or Control) of a device, not a Scene. I suppose this makes sense, but the program would be a little clearer if I could check status of the scene vs. one of the devices in the scene.

 

Is there a way to check Scene status? Seems like there should be, but so far it escapes me.

 

Thanks

Bernman

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Bernman,

 

Unfortunately not ... it's a long story!

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[TJF1960]

Unfortunately not ... it's a long story!

Ha ha ha, and stretches over many many pages and years as I recall.

 

Tim

[gatchel]

Anyone care to share an explanation or a link? I'm up for some good reading about the evolution of Insteon / ISY devices...

[LeeG]

There are various topics on Scene Status. Here is one, there are others ....

 

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=11201

 

The most important fact is that Insteon has no concept of Scene Status and never has. Ask 6 people what Scene Status should be and you'll get more than 6 ideas.