Example Request: Programs to create Alarm(security)-type functions

[ShawnW]

Hi all. 

  I've been building to get to a point where my IoX (soon to be, currently still ISY) can be used as a security alarm using door & window open/close sensors, 8-Button keypads, and several sirens to activate for home intrusion/break-ins. I eventually would like to create 3 'zones' for my home and both garages where there'd also be motion detectors in the garages. It should be noted that I'm often in or checking into my main attached garage during late hours where I may have already set the home to "Armed-Home", but I digress.

  I'm looking for any example programs (or even methodology or discussion) that create typical alarm settings - ie DisArmed / Armed-Home-Asleep / Armed-Home-Awake / Armed-Away. In my mind I have all the pieces & sensors already that I should be able to this with only my ISY, the items listed above, and some simple programs. While I do love creating simple/moderate programs with my ISY, when it comes to the item of security I don't want to re-invent the wheel or make a major mistake. I checked the Forums rather thoroughly and I'm pretty certain I'm posting in the right spot. 

ANY help anyone can offer will be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks.
Shawn

Edited February 20, 2023 by ShawnW

[Javi]

I run something similar for a small home and have for years.  Some here may say this is not a good idea, but as long as you understand the limitations it may be better than no monitoring. I think most here would recommend ELK as it integrates with ISY and will not have these limitations. Some of the things I have encountered over the years are below.

Keypads:

Insteon keypads may not work to enter a code, while I've seen others do this it never worked well in my tests due to how the insteon protocol communicates.  I found using keypad door locks work better. There are still a few times a year where the keypad doesn't communicate with ISY and the alarm would trigger. Unlocking the door again usually succeeds but  having a button to disarm on your phone will save a lot of headaches.

Battery backup:

All automation equipment and  networking equipment need to be on a battery backup.  

Error checking:

While it is easy to write programs for arm/disarm/ect. It is much more difficult to have good error checking and display errors to users.  Does the system still arm when a window is open?  How do you show the user this error?  How do you override this single sensor if a battery is dead or device is malfunctioning? Will writing all of these programs/variables/notifications save you more money/time than purchasing an Elk?

Other users:

Don't expect anyone outside of the house to understand the system and it's quirks. Your sitter/parents/children/neighbor/friends will encounter issues and will be irritated/confused when the alarm is triggered without a standard security system keypad there is no easy way for them to see or correct the issue.

Wall mounted tablet:

This may allow you to mitigate some of the issues above but has issues also.  I built an Android app a while back to use the ISY as a security system.  It worked well until the tablets battery starts to swell or needs to be reset/restarted for some other reason like it's not connecting to Wi-Fi. This could be the perfect solution if you purchase hardware made for this type of application....but would likely cost more than a all equipment needed for an Elk installation.

[oberkc]

I have a couple of keypad buttons throughout the house that enabl some zwave alarms to be triggered from door and window sensors.    Mine is just “on” or “off”.  If I wanted more than two modes, I would probably do this with multiple keypad buttons, one for each mode (off, home/asleep, home awake, away, etc…).  I would probably then create a program for each of the alarm states, based upon what you want to happen for each of the states, and enable or disable each program based upon the status of each keypad button.

[dbwarner5]

@ShawnWJavi did a great job of pointing out the pros and cons. However, since the biggest con of an ISY based security is its overall lack of true security protocols, I wouldn't hesitate to use one of your 6 button keypads, where the letter D, becomes Disarm. I use an elk system, and yes I have keypads by the proper doors, but I also have 3 keypads where I can press the D to disarm the alarm. 

I would highly doubt anyone who breaks into your house would know that those buttons will do what they will do. My view is that I am trying to accomplish the following:

-Ease of disarm for visitors and wife

-Protect through sirens/ etc the average burglar and inform me of any intrusion

-NOT protect me against a professional burglar who really thinks I have something of value other than household goods. 

The programs that I have follow the protocols below:

-Who unlocks the door via zwave lock--> category 1: me and wife, cat 2, long term visitor (kids), cat 3, short term visitors like a cat sitter or plant waterer, or good friend dropping something off etc. 

-Based on the above category of user the following happens: Cat 1: Disarm, turn on lights if dark, turn on water pump, unlock several doors, turn on heat, etc. Cat 2: similar to cat 1 but more general lighting. Cat 3: lots of lights, inside and out, water pump on, disarm, then watch for the door to be locked again via the touchpad and then re-arm the system, turn off water pump, eventually turn off the lights, leave heat alone.  I init the security status type (home away, home cat, etc) so I know how to set it back when needed.

Lastly, if the security is set at Home, and I need to get up and let the cat in at 2am (ugh!), I simply press the D on my keypad near my bed, and the security goes off, and then if I press the D again within 15 minutes, the security re-arms. 

Security gets armed at night through an Alex command of Goodnight, with runs ISY programs that controls lights for getting ready for bed adn then 10-15 minutes later sets up nightlights around the house and monitors all lights to reset them back to nightlight setting after 20 minutes if someone gets up and leaves a light on, thermostat adjustments, outside lights adjust etc.  When we leave for vacation etc, I use UD Mobile where I have a program for each state I want the elk to go into on my favorites page.

 

Hope this gives you some ideas!

[ShawnW]

On 2/20/2023 at 12:22 PM, oberkc said:

I have a couple of keypad buttons throughout the house that enabl some zwave alarms to be triggered from door and window sensors.    Mine is just “on” or “off”.  If I wanted more than two modes, I would probably do this with multiple keypad buttons, one for each mode (off, home/asleep, home awake, away, etc…).  I would probably then create a program for each of the alarm states, based upon what you want to happen for each of the states, and enable or disable each program based upon the status of each keypad button.

Hi guys. THANK YOU to @Javi @oberkc and @dbwarner5 for your awesome feedback. I have a couple followup questions on the basics. Before I do I want describe my plan -SUPER simple plan: Insteon Keypads, door/window sensors, and some sirens. Oh, and the ISY/IoX of course. I really just want to set some Armed modes, whether Away, or Home, etc., and set off a siren if something is opened during those states. I like the idea of ELK, but i can't justify the cost based on what I want to do, and should already be able to do with what I have.

  Here's where you guys can help me - what type/method of programming do I use to swap between these modes? My original plan was to set a variable to a certain number that aligns with each mode, then use programs to decide what to do based on that variable (I've only ever used Integers, but based on wiki reading I should be using State??). However Oberkc suggested Disabling/Enabling specific programs - I hadn't considered this - would this be better/more reliable? Are there other ways of activating this that I should consider? 

  I appreciate any and all input!

Me for perspective: ISY user decade+, 40-50 programs, 18 Variables, 62 Insteon, & 20 ZWave devices - 2 node servers on my Polisy Pro and soon to IoX. Still LOTS to learn! 

[oberkc]

11 hours ago, ShawnW said:

However Oberkc suggested Disabling/Enabling specific programs - I hadn't considered this - would this be better/more reliable? Are there other ways of activating this that I should consider?

I don't know that one method is better or more reliable than another.  If you want to use use variables as a representative for each state of your alarm system, then there is probably no benefit to enabling or disabling programs.  I have tended to avoid variables (for no particular reason that I can recall) when I can find other solutions.

 

11 hours ago, ShawnW said:

Are there other ways of activating this that I should consider?

I would assign a keypad button for each state and use the status of the keypads as an indicator for current alarm state.  I would put each button into "non-toggle (on)" mode, and create a scene containing all alarm buttons configured such that when you press one of the alarm buttons, the other alarm buttons would turn off.  Given this, whichever button is ON at any given time is the current alarm condition.  Whether this has any benefit over variables, I cannot say.

 

11 hours ago, ShawnW said:

Here's where you guys can help me - what type/method of programming do I use to swap between these modes?

Using button status as an indicator or current alarm state (assumed as off, home/asleep, home awake, away) ,  I would create a program folder for each state (except off) and enable/disable each folder based upon the condition of the keypad buttons.  In each keypad folder add a program that accomplishes your desires (if certain sensors are trigger, activate alarm).  Additionally, I would create a program, in no folder, alway enabled, that shuts the alarm off if the keypad button for the OFF alarm state is pressed.

Before embarking too far on what methods you want to use, make sure you have defined your requirements for your alarm system.  For example, do you want a delay between your button press and when your alarm system is activated?  This may dictate a certain approach to how you do this.  Are you going to change the state of your alarm system by some other method than physically pressing the keypad buttons (UD Mobile, Alexa, another program)?  This may influence how you approach doing this.

[dbwarner5]

@ShawnW The above outline from @oberkc is a great approach. As he mentioned there are many different ways to accomplish this, but his outline is very straight forward and right on. 

If you need further help with the actual programs as you develop them, feel free to post them by right clicking on them and at the bottom of the pop up menu, select copy to clipboard. That will paste the actual syntax of the program into this forum. 

good luck!