Virtual Plugin for Dummies

[BobM99]

I've read the documentation for this plugin, but forgive me as I'm nowhere near the level of most of you.

I have a GE Cync wall switch that I'd like to program using eisy. The switch can be controlled by Alexa.  Is that an example of what this plugin is for?

Thanks.

Bob

 

[Guy Lavoie]

No. the Virtual plugin creates a virtual device (switch, etc) in the eisy, mainly for the purpose of acting as a flag in scenes, so that you can do things like trigger program actions on the status of the virtual switch being on or off, having been turned on or off by a scene command. IoX doesn't have an instruction to trigger on a scene command (eg: if Scene kitchen is turned on). Since individual switches can usually be turned on or off by themselves as well as through scene commands, the trick is to add a virtual switch to it, which cannot be turned on other than by the scene command. Monitoring the status of that switch can thus be your indication of a change due to a scene command.

The plugin also has other virtual device types than switches (dimmer, generic, temperature) which might also be useful for other types of situations. I have not used those.

If you know the protocol and communication type (wifi, zigbee, etc) then you could potentially control them directly with the eisy, or by using the network module.

Edited Sunday at 01:14 AM by Guy Lavoie

[Guy Lavoie]

I just did a bit of googling, and it appears that GE Cync is using Matter. This means that they should work with the eisy soon, as soon as the Matter update is released, which should be within weeks.

[BobM99]

Thanks very much