Question regarding binary sensor automation

1

I’ve created a binary sensor group comprised of three Aqara p1 motion sensors. My intention was to place these throughout the garage so that when entering the light comes on. But then keep the lights on while the garage is occupied. The only entity I see available is “on” or “off”. I assume this corresponds to clear or detected.

So then I presume that an automation would simply then on the light when “on”, then turn the lights of when that state is “off”.

Does that sound about right?

-Thanks

trigger: state
entity_id:
  - binary_sensor.garage_motion_sensor_group
from:
  - "off"
to:
  - "on"
2

Yes, but usually a delay is used for off, because most motion sensors can miss persons that don’t move. You’ll find an elegant automation for motion activated lights in the cookbook on this forum:

3

Thank you I’ll check it out.

You mentioned a delay, isn’t that what the “detection interval” aka cooldown period for?

4

Yes that’s what the cooldown period is for but you might run into the scenario when someone is standing still enough that all 3 of your motion sensors stop detecting motion & the cooldown period also expires before the person moves again.

Setting the lights off trigger to be something like “from on to off for 5 minutes” gives you some breathing space.

Another option is (& has been a game changer for me) is to replace multiple PIR motion sensors in space with a ‘presense sensor’ that combines mmWave tech with PIR tech for much more reliable ‘presense’ detection.

5

Thanks I will certainly keep all that in mind. Actually, I wanted the Aqara FP300 presence sensor but they are currently not available. So I thought I would give the binary sensor group a try.

I just had a smart switch installed in my 1/2 bath downstairs and added an Aqara FP1E presence sensor. Works great!