Issues with time condition in automation

Configuration
1

So I am using a Wyze door sensor to track when a key is picked up and replaced on the hook. This works great except I have unnecessary repeat events when people are fiddling with the key in order to get it to sit right.

So im trying to put a condition in to say that if the key has been off the hook in the last 1 minute, then dont fire the automation.

I wrote what I think would work but now the automation doesn’t fire at all reguardless of how long it takes.

Any ideas?

- alias: Voice command for when gate tag box is opened. 
  initial_state: true
  hide_entity: false
  trigger:
    platform: state
    entity_id: binary_sensor.wyzesense_778be928
    from: 'off'
    to: 'on'
  condition: 
    condition: state
    entity_id: binary_sensor.wyzesense_778be928
    state: 'off'
    for:
      minutes: 1
  action:
  - service: tts.google_translate_say
    entity_id: media_player.security_office_speaker
    data:
      message: 'State why the entrance gate tag is being used.'
2

The trigger and condition are in conflict.

  • The trigger requires the binary_sensor to change from off to on.
  • The condition requires the binary_sensor to be off for at least a minute.

The trigger wants on whereas the condition wants off. This will never happen

Try this:

- alias: Voice command for when gate tag box is opened. 
  trigger:
    platform: state
    entity_id: binary_sensor.wyzesense_778be928
    from: 'off'
    to: 'on'
    for:
      minutes: 1
  action:
  - service: tts.google_translate_say
    entity_id: media_player.security_office_speaker
    data:
      message: 'State why the entrance gate tag is being used.'
1 Like
3

OK I get your logic.

But the way I read it now seems that it needs to be off for 1 minute.

Will try it nonetheless. Thanks

4

No, it will trigger when it changed from ‘off’ to ‘on’ for 1 minute, meaning it has been ‘on’ for 1 minute.

1 Like
5

The assumption I’ve made is when the key is on the hook the binary_sensor indicates on. It must be ‘on the hook’ for a solid minute before the action is performed.

So if someone puts the key on the hook for a moment then jostles it so the binary_sensor reports on then off then on, etc, none of that will cause the trigger to fire. The key has to sit undisturbed on the hook for a full minute to cause the trigger to fire.

You can probably reduce the for from 1 minute to something less like 15 seconds.

6

Naah, key on hook is an ‘off’ with a waze door sensor. Notification need to be instant. I could also do it by triggering a timer that flicks a boolean switch, just seems overly complicated.

7

Fine. Change the State Trigger accordingly and set for to a few seconds, just enough to “debounce” the on-hook activity.

- alias: Voice command for when gate tag box is opened. 
  trigger:
    platform: state
    entity_id: binary_sensor.wyzesense_778be928
    from: 'on'
    to: 'off'
    for: '00:00:03'
  action:
  - service: tts.google_translate_say
    entity_id: media_player.security_office_speaker
    data:
      message: 'State why the entrance gate tag is being used.'