1 hour ago, jfai said:

Alexa debounces sensor values over the course of 30 seconds. In other words, once Alexa sees the first sensor value change, it ignores all changes to the same sensor until 30 seconds have elapsed. "Sensor" here is anything that can be used as a trigger in an Alexa routine.

For example, let's say you have two routines for your mailbox.  The sensor is an Elk zone dry contact that is closed when the mailbox door is closed.

1.  When mailbox sensor opens, say "Mailbox opened"
2. When mailbox sensor closes, say "Mailbox closed"

• Mail carrier opens the mailbox, drops the mail, and closes the mailbox after 15 seconds. You'll hear Alexa announcing "Mailbox opened", and after 30 seconds you'll hear "Mailbox closed".
• Mail carrier opens the mailbox, drops the mail, and closes the mailbox after 45 seconds. You'll hear Alexa announcing "Mailbox opened", and after 45 seconds you'll hear "Mailbox closed".
• Mail carrier opens the mailbox, drops the mail, and closes the mailbox after 10 seconds. Then the carrier opens the mailbox again after 5 seconds for 10 seconds. You'll hear Alexa announcing "Mailbox opened", and after 30 seconds you'll hear "Mailbox closed". The second set of opening and closing is not triggering the routines.

Thanks, but does the same apply to a motion sensor that stays ON, after motion has been detected, for about 2 to 3 minutes ?In this case, is the 30 seconds wait necessary ?

Depends what you use as trigger for the routine. If its the motion sensor through the portal, then you don't even need a program.  Otherwise it depends on the program and how the sensor influences the program.

5 hours ago, asbril said:

Thanks, but does the same apply to a motion sensor that stays ON, after motion has been detected, for about 2 to 3 minutes ?In this case, is the 30 seconds wait necessary ?

I can't remember all the details but IIRC you will need at least a wait of about 2-5 seconds or it can miss sometimes.

@jfaiAlso  it is not only the same routine trigger. Alexa will only allow a trigger every 30 seconds period. Now having said that this stuff is developing rapidly since I set these up and tested this. I found under 30 second hits may or may not work reliably at that time.

I also noticed that leaving the variable value True caused some problems.(1-0-1)  I think it had to be False for a few seconds before Alexa would clear it's allowance time???? and then your vocal would be delayed from the event.

IIRC this was stated somewhere but I do not remember where...maybe the app?