Help with using input_number in "below" automation

Configuration
1

I get “expected float for dictionary value” for this YAML in an automation.

actions:
  - if:
      - condition: trigger
        id:
          - occupied
      - condition: state
        entity_id: light.study_lights
        state: "off"
      - type: is_illuminance
        condition: device
        device_id: e8e4306daa48fe581faae9f60f510520
        entity_id: 2c8ea5fc11b356cff0fcddcfbc0a5f79
        domain: sensor
        below: input_number.minimum_light_level

This is partial YAML. If it’s useful to show in it’s entirety then please let me know but I don’t see why the rest would be relevant.

If I hardcode the below: value, this automation works.

I’ve found a lot of references to this error but despite reading them all, I can’t get my head around why this won’t work.

From what I’ve found, a direct reference to input_number.minimum_light_level on the below: value should be supported.

Apologies if I’ve missed something obvious or got some terminologies mixed up - not been using this for long.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2

Please link to the official documentation that says this.

I can guarantee it is not supported. The numeric_state condition does support this: https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/scripts/conditions/#numeric-state-condition the device condition does not.

Also please see: Why and how to avoid device_ids in automations and scripts

I moved your post to the Configuration category as this is a question about the backend (automations, scripts, integrations, etc…) not the frontend (dashboards, cards, UI etc…).

3

I’ve not seen the official docs on this so thanks for that. I’ve only seen other threads concluding that it should be possible, but I guess they are old or not correct.

I will take a look at the docs you suggested as I didn’t know that was against the best practices. Strange how when I am constructing the automation it says that using a Device is “a great way to start”. Being from a programming background I did notice the hardcoded ID’s and attempted to change them but ended up stopping them from working. But now I know it’s best not to do that I will go through them now and change them,

4

Hi, thanks for the help, all sorted!

actions:
  - if:
      - condition: trigger
        id:
          - occupied
      - condition: state
        entity_id: light.study_lights
        state: "off"
      - condition: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.motion_study_illuminance_lux
        below: input_number.minimum_light_level

I need help with something else but will start a new thread for that, hopefully in the right place this time!

1 Like