What is the best way to set up burglar alarm notifications?

[gweempose]

I'd like to write some programs that will notify me when my burglar alarm has been triggered, as well as tell me which zone has been violated. Ideally, I'd like to accomplish this with as few programs as possible, but I'm not quite sure where to begin. I'm pretty confident that I can make everything work if I create a separate program for each zone, but that seems like it's probably more work than is necessary. Because there are so many different ways to attack this, I'm very interested to see what others have done. For example, are you keying off the "burglar alarm" trigger, or are you keying off the "zone violation" trigger and adding the various armed states to the "If" statement? Also, is there a way to incorporate variables into the notification statement so that a single notification will list the proper zone that was violated?

[larryllix]

I'd like to write some programs that will notify me when my burglar alarm has been triggered, as well as tell me which zone has been violated. Ideally, I'd like to accomplish this with as few programs as possible, but I'm not quite sure where to begin. I'm pretty confident that I can make everything work if I create a separate program for each zone, but that seems like it's probably more work than is necessary. Because there are so many different ways to attack this, I'm very interested to see what others have done. For example, are you keying off the "burglar alarm" trigger, or are you keying off the "zone violation" trigger and adding the various armed states to the "If" statement? Also, is there a way to incorporate variables into the notification statement so that a single notification will list the proper zone that was violated?

You can send a generic message for every zone that will identify in the text which program sent it. = program for each zone.

 

You can set and send a variable for each zone to identify which zone triggers but that will take a program for each zone and a variable.

 

I have no Elk but 10 Insteon MS units.

Each one has a simple program

If

     MS.roomname is switched on

Then

      $sMS.zone.violated = $cROOM.ROOMNUMBER

Else

    ----

 

That's it, but....

 

 You need a common program that triggers on that variable and sends a common message. Mine includes a room key table and the numbers are logical with 10-19 on the first floor, 20-29 on the second floor, etc..

 

Advantages? Programs can tell which direction travel in the house is, 

 

My Home and Vacation status can be timed more intelligently.  If last motion is the mudroom, wait 20 minutes. Any other give it four hours before

        $sHouse.occupied = $cFalse

 

 

Since Insteon MSes can occasionally False report, I can watch for the same room trigger and choose to only take minor action, whereas a second room motion would confirm motion, and take a second level of action, annoying neighbours, perhaps.

 

I wrote the first simple program and just copied it ten times, changing the necessary parameters.

I put the batch of programs into a folder and just turn the folder on and off with logic to enable/disable the whole bank together.

[tgutwin]

Programs and variables for ELK notifications
I found (like you probably have) that the ISY with the ELK module is a much better interface than the ELK RP software, in addition to the fact that all my controlled devices live in my ISY.
Here is what I setup to send me (and my wife) Zone Alarm notifications:

Let me know if the screengrab links do not work. I was not allowed to add images directly to the post

As you realized, I used a combination of

1. programs controlling variables for zones (triggered when an alarm starts)
2. programs that watch the ELK alarm and armed states
3. and pre-configured email messages

The Main program, called ELKAlarm, triggers on alarms using the double negative "NOT no alarm" AND "NOT Disarmed" AND "NOT Entrance Delay Active"
(see screen grab)

<insert inline image here>

 

I can't remember why I used the double negative for this, but i recall doing some testing to see what worked best.

This sets off a string of tasks for ISY to, like

1. Turn most of the lights on,  
2. run a program that checks which Zones Are Violated and sets some variables
3. fires off a few emails: reporting the violatedZones
4. and gets the ELK to SPEAK to me (or in intruder) that the alarm has been acknowledged

Now, how many programs for the zones, you ask?
I have a separate zone for every opening in my house, so I know precisely what/where is violated.(other people might have multiple windows in a single wire run zone)
I didn't want to program them all so I grouped some of my zones together and then watch that group to set one variable.

(see screen grab)

<insert inline image here>

This is essentially all my downstairs windows trigger ONE variable:

 

 

Then I have a single program that calls all these zone-Violated programs:

(see next screenshot)

<insert inline image here>

That way the main ElkAlarming program (shown above) only has to call this one to setup the variables

 

 

 

Here is a look at the variables I use:

One for each zoneGroup -6 of them

(screen grab)

<insert inline image here>

 

 

The email I use just gathers together the zone variables and sends them to me.

(See screen grab)

<insert inline image here>

Note that the variable elk.zone.down.window.violated  gets turned into its ID value when added to the email.

Aside from the ISY, the elk is also now phoning me to report the Alarm.

All in all, I think you are thinking the same things I did.
Fortunately, it has only had to have worked a few times during a false alarm when someone in my familly opened a window or door while armed.

 

I am interested to hear if you come up with anything I can add to my "program-routines".

 

tom

[apostolakisl]

The easy way to do this is to subscribe to a monitoring company and then you get a phone call with a pleasant person at the other end who tells you which zone triggered the alarm.  Alarm Relay does this for roughly $100/year.

 

I do not at all recommend self monitored alarm system.  While it is fine to play with notifications if you are bored or something, it is foolish to have spent thousands on a security system and then rely on a response system (self notification) that is massively flawed in so many ways.  Certainly nothing is perfect, but a real monitoring company is very reasonably priced and orders of magnitude better then maybe getting a text message or email in a timely fashion that you are actually able to respond to.  Even a 15 minute delay is huge if your house is on fire or your kids are being held at gunpoint.

[paulbates]

+ 1 on Luke's comments.

 

Things you can do are add additional safety measures via automation:

 

If entry/fire/co alarm -- then turn on all lights so burlars are exposed, attention is drawn to the house, clear path out for occupants

 

If entry alarm and night time, -- then flash outside lights 

 

if fire or co, -- then turn of fans, turn off hvac, close dampers, turn on lights

 

Paul

[gweempose]

Thanks for all the responses, guys! I do indeed have a very good monitoring company. I'm just trying to leverage all the cool stuff that the ISY can do to make my M1 system even better. I've been making some progress, but there are still some things about the programming logic that I obviously don't understand. For example, here is a program that I created to monitor zone violations when the system is armed. It was my assumption that this program would only alert me to zone violations when the Elk is armed, but it is sending me alerts even when the system is disarmed. What did I do wrong?

Zone Monitor - [ID 0016][Parent 0011]

If
        Elk Zone 'FRONT DOOR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'SIDE ENTRY DOOR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'NORTH ENTRY DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone '1 CAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone '2 GAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'KITCHEN SLIDER' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #4' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BAS STAIR GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BED #2 WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BED #3 WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #5' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #6' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #7' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'KIT FAM AREA GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LNDRY RM WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LAUNDRY RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIV RM #2 & #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#4' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'MUD RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #2' is Violated
    And Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Arm Up State' is Armed Fully
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian' content 'Zone Violation'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

[apostolakisl]

 

Thanks for all the responses, guys! I do indeed have a very good monitoring company. I'm just trying to leverage all the cool stuff that the ISY can do to make my M1 system even better. I've been making some progress, but there are still some things about the programming logic that I obviously don't understand. For example, here is a program that I created to monitor zone violations when the system is armed. It was my assumption that this program would only alert me to zone violations when the Elk is armed, but it is sending me alerts even when the system is disarmed. What did I do wrong?

Zone Monitor - [ID 0016][Parent 0011]

If
        Elk Zone 'FRONT DOOR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'SIDE ENTRY DOOR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'NORTH ENTRY DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone '1 CAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone '2 GAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'KITCHEN SLIDER' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #4' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BAS STAIR GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BED #2 WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BED #3 WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #5' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #6' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #7' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'KIT FAM AREA GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LNDRY RM WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LAUNDRY RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIV RM #2 & #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#4' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'MUD RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #2' is Violated
    And Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Arm Up State' is Armed Fully
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian' content 'Zone Violation'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

You need parenthesis grouping all the or statements together as a single block with the "and" statement connecting the entire block of or's to the armed statement.

 

However, would it not be easier to simply be notified every time the system is disarmed or goes into alarm state?  Since a zone violation while armed must result in one of two things.

 

1) the alarm goes off

2) the alarm is disarmed.  

 

I have my Elk set to send me a notification every time it alarms, is armed or is disarmed.  I do this directly in Elk and it works as advertised.  

[larryllix]

As per Apostolakisl above.

 

AND has a higher order of operations than OR does. What that means is only your second last line

                  Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #2' is Violated

gets ANDed with the last line.

 

 

You could also put all this program into a folder and  enable the folder with your armed logic point.

An advantage of this would be if you want to break out certain notifications or zone later, you just put those programs into your same folder and they just go away when the system is disarmed.

[gweempose]

You need parenthesis grouping all the or statements together as a single block with the "and" statement connecting the entire block of or's to the armed statement.

 

Thanks! Would this be correct?

Zone Monitor - [ID 0016][Parent 0011][Not Enabled]

If
       -(
       |     Elk Zone 'FRONT DOOR' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'SIDE ENTRY DOOR' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'NORTH ENTRY DR' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone '1 CAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone '2 GAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'KITCHEN SLIDER' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #1' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #2' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #3' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #4' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BAS STAIR GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BED #2 WINS' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BED #3 WINS' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #1' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #2' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#1' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#2' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #3' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #5' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #6' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #7' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 1' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 2' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'KIT FAM AREA GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'LNDRY RM WINS' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'LAUNDRY RM GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#1' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'LIV RM #2 & #3' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#4' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'MUD RM GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #1' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #2' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE GB' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #1' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #2' is Violated
       -)
    And Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Arm Up State' is Armed Fully
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian' content 'Zone Violation'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

[larryllix]

That's the ticket!

[tgutwin]

 

Thanks for all the responses, guys! I do indeed have a very good monitoring company. I'm just trying to leverage all the cool stuff that the ISY can do to make my M1 system even better. I've been making some progress, but there are still some things about the programming logic that I obviously don't understand. For example, here is a program that I created to monitor zone violations when the system is armed. It was my assumption that this program would only alert me to zone violations when the Elk is armed, but it is sending me alerts even when the system is disarmed. What did I do wrong?

Zone Monitor - [ID 0016][Parent 0011]

If
        Elk Zone 'FRONT DOOR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'SIDE ENTRY DOOR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'NORTH ENTRY DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone '1 CAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone '2 GAR TO HOME DR' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'KITCHEN SLIDER' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT WIN #4' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BAS STAIR GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BED #2 WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'BED #3 WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'DINING RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN#2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #5' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #6' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'FAMILY RM WIN #7' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED WIN 2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'GUEST BED GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'KIT FAM AREA GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LNDRY RM WINS' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LAUNDRY RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIV RM #2 & #3' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM WIN#4' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'LIVING RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'MUD RM GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE WIN #2' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'OFFICE GB' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #1' is Violated
     Or Elk Zone 'STR LNDG WIN #2' is Violated
    And Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Arm Up State' is Armed Fully
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian' content 'Zone Violation'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

Zones reporting they are violated is correct.

 

Thats the way they get reported from ELK.

Think of the word violated as "The contact is open", so as long as the zone/window is open, ELK will report it is open.

SO

As I showed above in my ElkAlarm program, I trigger on the armed state...

if
        Elk Area 'InsideHouse' 'Alarm State' is not No Alarm Active
    And Elk Area 'InsideHouse' 'Armed State' is not Disarmed
    And Elk Area 'InsideHouse' 'Alarm State' is not Entrance Delay Active
 
Then
        Set Scene 'Scenes / PANIC-MostLightsOn' 100%
        Set 'Down / Staircase / Staircase-up' Fast On
        Run Program 'checkAllViolatedZones' (If)
        Send Notification to 'Elk' content 'ElkAlarming'
        Send Notification to 'mary' content 'ElkAlarming'
        Set Elk Speak Phrase 'Alarm Acknowledged '
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 Then the checkAllViolatedZones program does all the zone checking.

 

tom

 

 

[gweempose]

So I did some more testing, and everything now appears to be working as I would expect it to. What's interesting is how many different ways there are to accomplish basically the exact same thing. It's amazingly flexible software, and the ISY truly does integrate seamlessly with the ELK. Here's where I stand now. I have three separate programs that monitor and report ELK activity:

 

The first program monitors all the perimeter zones, including windows, doors and glass break sensors. This is the program that I listed above. If any of these zones are violated while the system is in a fully armed state, it sends me this notification:

Subject: Zone violation
Body: ${elk.zone.#.name}

The second program monitors all the motion detectors, and sends me the same notification as above if any of those zones are violated while the system is armed in "Away" or "Vacation" mode. I think I have it correct, but I'm not positive about the last line in the "If" statement concerning Vacation mode:

Motion Detector Monitor - [ID 0017][Parent 0011]

If
       -(
       |     Elk Zone '2ND FL HALL MOT' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT MOT' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAM RM AREA MOT' is Violated
       -)
    And Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Armed State' is Armed Away
     Or Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Armed State' is Armed Vacation
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian' content 'Zone Violation'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

The last program is simply a burglar alarm monitor. If an alarm is triggered for any reason, a notification is sent and an "Emergency Lights" scene is turned on:

Burglar Alarm Monitor - [ID 0010][Parent 0011]

If
        Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Alarm State' is Burglar Alarm
 
Then
        Set Scene 'Emergency Lights' On
        Send Notification to 'Brian' content 'Burglar Alarm'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

I'm pretty happy with this setup. If a burglar alarm is triggered, I am sent two notifications. This is what it looks like on my phone:

 

 

So it appears that I managed to accomplish everything I wanted to without using any variables to track different states. I'm sure I've completely overlooked something, though.

[apostolakisl]

your first program above won't work.  You need to use parenthesis to block together the last two statements that are connected by the "or", then put the "and" statement between the two blocks.

 

As it sits now, it will run true just by arming to vacation mode.

[larryllix]

You also need to test your logic you have written.

If you had you would have gotten a notification when you placed the system in vacation mode and known there was a problem.

 

While testing my logic I find all kinds of unexpected glitches.

[gweempose]

your first program above won't work.  You need to use parenthesis to block together the last two statements that are connected by the "or", then put the "and" statement between the two blocks.

 

As it sits now, it will run true just by arming to vacation mode.

 

Thanks! I had a feeling something wasn't quite right. This should fix it:

Motion Detector Monitor - [ID 0017][Parent 0011]

If
       -(
       |     Elk Zone '2ND FL HALL MOT' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'BASEMENT MOT' is Violated
       |  Or Elk Zone 'FAM RM AREA MOT' is Violated
       -)
    And-(
       |     Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Armed State' is Armed Away
       |  Or Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Armed State' is Armed Vacation
       -)
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian' content 'Zone Violation'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

[gweempose]

You also need to test your logic you have written.

If you had you would have gotten a notification when you placed the system in vacation mode and known there was a problem.

 

While testing my logic I find all kinds of unexpected glitches.

 

I tested a bunch of stuff yesterday, but I ran out of time. I plan on fully putting it through its paces today. I'm sure I'll discover a some more glitches.

[apostolakisl]

You might have to add some lines in there about not being in the countdown phase of arming.  I am not 100% on this point, but I have a feeling if you arm the system then open the door to leave during the countdown, you will get a notification.

[gweempose]

You might have to add some lines in there about not being in the countdown phase of arming.  I am not 100% on this point, but I have a feeling if you arm the system then open the door to leave during the countdown, you will get a notification.

 

I wasn't sure about that either. I was hoping that since I only have it give me perimeter zone violations when the system is "Armed Fully" that it would allow me to leave during the countdown timer without triggering a notification. It turns out that's exactly how it works. The system isn't "Armed Fully" until the exit delay expires. I do, however, receive a notification when someone re-enters the house through a door with a delay, but that's how I want it. This will help me keep track of the comings and goings of my kids.

[tgutwin]

You might have to add some lines in there about not being in the countdown phase of arming.  I am not 100% on this point, but I have a feeling if you arm the system then open the door to leave during the countdown, you will get a notification.

Yes, add this to your IF

        Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Alarm State' is not Entrance Delay Active

 

 

Doors do send a violated, when you exit.

 

tom

[gweempose]

 

Doors do send a violated, when you exit.

 

 

They don't in my program. I just tested it again to make sure.

[gweempose]

Okay, I just ran into another little snag. I created some simple programs to notify me when the system is armed and disarmed. I have a separate program for each arming mode, which triggers a unique notification. Here's an example:

System Armed Monitor - Night Mode - [ID 001E][Parent 0011]

If
        Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Armed State' is Armed Night
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian (text only)' content 'System Armed - Night Mode'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Everything works as it should with one minor caveat. If "Stay Instant" mode is initiated by pressing the "Stay" button twice on the keypad, I receive two notifications. It's not a big deal, just a minor annoyance. That being said, is there any way to avoid the first "Stay Mode" notification being sent?

[paulbates]

Okay, I just ran into another little snag. I created some simple programs to notify me when the system is armed and disarmed. I have a separate program for each arming mode, which triggers a unique notification. Here's an example:

System Armed Monitor - Night Mode - [ID 001E][Parent 0011]

If
        Elk Area 'Area 1' 'Armed State' is Armed Night
 
Then
        Send Notification to 'Brian (text only)' content 'System Armed - Night Mode'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Everything works as it should with one minor caveat. If "Stay Instant" mode is initiated by pressing the "Stay" button twice on the keypad, I receive two notifications. It's not a big deal, just a minor annoyance. That being said, is there any way to avoid the first "Stay Mode" notification being sent?

 

The 'cheap and dirty' way is to add a ~5 second wait instruction before the notification. The second press will come during the first 5 second wait, and will restart the program. The first press should not make it through the 5 second wait, the second press will and  only one notification will be sent.

 

Paul

[gweempose]

The 'cheap and dirty' way is to add a ~5 second wait instruction before the notification. The second press will come during the first 5 second wait, and will restart the program. The first press should not make it through the 5 second wait, the second press will and  only one notification will be sent.

 

Paul

 

Thanks, Paul. That worked perfectly. I expanded on your idea and lengthened the wait to 45 seconds. This takes it beyond the exit period, and guarantees that if the "Stay" button is pressed again at any time before the system is fully armed that only the "Stay Instant" notification will be sent.

[paulbates]

Thanks, Paul. That worked perfectly. I expanded on your idea and lengthened the wait to 45 seconds. This takes it beyond the exit period, and guarantees that if the "Stay" button is pressed again at any time before the system is fully armed that only the "Stay Instant" notification will be sent.

 

Great, glad it helped. My programs are rife with tweaks like that so things work the way they should. Its worth noting in the program comments why its there and why its x seconds long. You go back a few years later and sometimes wonder

 

Paul

[gweempose]

It's fun trying to figure out how to iron out all the little bugs. I just did a little more tweaking and added the 45 second wait to ALL the arming state programs. This way, it will not send a notification of the system being armed if someone changes their mind and disarms it before the exit delay is up.