💡 Sensor Light - Motion Sensor - Door Sensor - Sun Elevation - LUX Value - Scenes - Time - Light Control - Device Tracker - Night Lights

Blueprints Exchange
, , , ,
345

FAQ - The Settings & Best Practice Guidelines

:zap: Trigger Sensor - Binary Sensors

The trigger sensors are responsible for turning the lights, switches, scenes, or scripts ON and OFF. You can choose any Binary Sensor you prefer as triggers. Alternatively, if you prefer a time-based trigger, you can also add a schedule

For more information + Pro Tips Click Here

On how to set up a schedule helper and a pro tip to use it with a sun condition please click here.

:spiral_notepad: NOTE: When adding multiple trigger sensors, in particular a sensor that can remain in an ON state for long periods of time, it is recommended to group these sensors together as the automation will function correctly. Sometimes depending on many factors, just having 2 or more trigger sensors prevents the automation from function correctly and grouping these sensors together helps. For more information on how to set up group sensors please click here. If you would like to know more about groups and why we use them then please click here. Example of these sensors are;

  • Presence sensor
  • mm wave sensor
  • Contact sensor
  • Door sensor
  • Window sensor
  • Garage door sensor
  • Motion sensors with long inbuilt delays

If you find your trigger is not triggering the automation then see below under “Lights - Switches – Scenes - Scripts”.

If you would like to create a template trigger sensor so you can use it in the blueprint click here for some examples. This is a realy good read, and I would strongly recommend you take a look at it. This shows how you can make this blueprint even better. The ‘Bee In The Hive’ sensor is the one I realy love :heart:, it will take your automatons to the next level.

:bulb: Lights - Switches – Scenes - Scripts

The lights, switches, scenes, and scripts that will be activated by the trigger sensor/s.

More information on scenes and scripts please click here

The automation exclusively supports entities. To conveniently locate your entities, you have the option to also select areas, devices and labels, providing a quick and easy method. Simply click the expand button " < > " as shown below. This expands your area, device or labels, allowing for a swift identification of your entities. Ensure your final selection is all green, containing only lights, switches, scenes, or script entities.

Areas :x:

3
31138×154 45.5 KB

4
41137×154 45 KB

Devices :x:

5
51134×152 47.3 KB

6
61135×150 45.3 KB

Labels :x:

113
1131176×190 50.5 KB

Entities :white_check_mark: :+1:

7
71134×152 51.1 KB

8
81135×152 48.5 KB

:link: Scenes & Scripts - Toggle Helper

Scenes and scripts lack a discernible state within Home Assistant, making it challenging for the automation to determine their activation status. To address this, it’s recommended to use a toggle helper alongside scenes or scripts. This enables the automation system to recognize when a scene or script has been activated, ensuring smooth operation. When entering scenes or scripts in “Lights - Switches - Scenes - Scripts” or “Night Light,” it’s advisable to create a dedicated toggle helper for each input.

If you would like to know how to create a toggle helper then please click here.

:film_strip: Scenes - Scripts To Turn OFF

If you have selected a scene or a script to be turned ON above in “Lights - Switches - Scenes - Scripts” or below in “Night Lights,” and you would like it to be turned OFF after the time delay, then you must create a scene or a script with everything OFF and enter it here. See below example.

9
91132×562 112 KB

10
101133×250 71.1 KB

More information on scenes and scripts please click here

:hourglass_flowing_sand: Time Delay

The time delay setting dictates how long the lights, switches, scenes, and scripts will remain active after all triggers have returned to their inactive state, effectively initiating the countdown to turn them off. Additionally, the time delay also acts as a buffer zone between trigger events, preventing the lights, switches, scenes, and scripts from turning off immediately when the trigger is deactivated. If you find that your lights are turning off and then back on again too quickly, consider extending the time delay. In cases where multiple trigger sensors are used and adjustments to the time delay aren’t effective, grouping the trigger sensors may be necessary. Click here to learn more about grouping trigger sensors.

:white_check_mark: Light Control Options

This allows you to select what option you would like to control in your light entity.

  • Brightness – Your light must be able to support brightness control by being able to dim the light in Home Assistant.
  • Transition – If your lights support brightness or colour temperature then this is the time it will take to transition to the next state. A state change can be from OFF to ON, from ON to OFF, from normal lights to night lights and from night lights to normal lights.
  • RGB - Your light must be able to support RGB colour by being able to adjust the colour in Home Assistant. You can choose RGB, RGBW or RGBWW.
  • Colour Temperature - Your light must be able to support colour temperature by being able to adjust the colour temperature in Home Assistant. Some LED lights that can change colour may also support colour temperature.

For each option you select you also have the ability to adjust the setting. More information is next to each setting.

If you have selected an option and your light doesn’t support it then the light will simply just turn ON.

:balance_scale: Dynamic Lighting

This option makes continual adjustments to your normal lighting setup by modulating brightness based on floating lux values, or adapting both colour temperature and brightness according to the sun’s changing elevation or the time of day. Choose from thirteen preset options available in the dropdown menu.

1 - Lux Controlled Brightness
2 - Lux Controlled Brightness Inverted
3 - Sun Elevation Lighting - Colour Temp
4 - Sun Elevation Lighting - Brightness
5 - Sun Elevation Lighting - Brightness Inverted
6 - Sun Elevation Lighting - Colour Temp + Brightness
7 - Sun Elevation Lighting - Colour Temp + Brightness Inverted
8 - Sun Elevation Lighting - Colour Temp + Lux Controlled Brightness
9 - Sun Elevation Lighting - Colour Temp + Lux Controlled Brightness Inverted
10 - Time Controlled - Colour Temp
11 - Time Controlled - Brightness
12 - Time Controlled - Brightness Inverted
13 - Time Controlled - Colour Temp + Brightness

If you would like more information on dynamic lighting then please click here.

:pause_button: By-pass

The Bypass Option allows you to manually control your automation and override its normal behaviour. By switching on the bypass, you disable the automation’s automatic actions and take full control over your lights. This feature is useful when you need to temporarily stop automations from running or want to override their settings based on specific needs.

You have three input options:

  1. Turn Lights ON: This will turn your lights on, regardless of the automation’s current state.
  2. Turn Lights OFF: This will turn your lights off, disabling the automation’s control over them.
  3. Keep the Lights’ Current State (Pause): This option ensures that the lights remain in their current state (whether they are on or off) and the automation is paused.

You can have more than one bypass and choose any input option based on your preference. However, ensure that you DON’T use the same bypass entity in more than one option. Each option must have a separate entity.

By-pass 101 - For more information on the by-pass then please click here.

:scroll: Global Conditions

All the conditions are global and can work alongside with the other conditions. You can select one or all of them but if enabled each condition must pass for the lights, switches or scenes to turn ON. Example: If you enable all of them and one of them has not been met, then the automation will not run.

Sun, ambient & time can also trigger your automation. This will only happen when the “trigger Sensor” is ON at the time the sensor crosses over it setting. Example: If your motion sensor is ON (motion detected) and you are using the sun as a condition, if the sun is above the “Sun Elevation” setting the light will be OFF. If the sun then crosses from above to below the “Sun Elevation” setting then the light will be turned ON. The same theory applies for ambient and time and also works for turning your lights ON and OFF.

  • Sun - Can trigger the automation if the main trigger is ON*
    This option is used to add a condition that only allows the automation to run when it is dark or below the ‘Sun Elevation’ settings.

    I initially considered using Sunset and Sunrise, with a time offset but Home Assistant recommends using sun elevation for more consistent performance throughout the year. Following their advice, I opted for sun elevation. This is because the actual light level differs when using a fixed time after sunset or sunrise during winter versus summer. By setting a sun elevation, you achieve consistent light levels throughout the year.

    If you would like more information on this and how to set it up correctly then please click here.

  • Ambient - Can trigger the automation if the main trigger is ON*
    This option is used to add a condition that only allows the automation to run when it is dark or below the ‘Ambient’ settings.

    If you’re seeking more detailed information on the ambient settings, feel free to click here.

    If you would like to use 2 or more ambient light sensors and would like to know how to set this up correctly then please click here.

  • Time - Can trigger the automation if the main trigger is ON*
    This option is used to add a condition that only allows the automation to run between the start time and end time settings on the selected weekdays.

    If you’re seeking more detailed information on the time settings then please click here.

  • Device Tracker
    Home Assistant can track the location of your devices (such as mobile phones) within a designated zone via the mobile app device tracker.

    To utilize this option, you need to set up a zone and configure your devices for tracking in Home Assistant. There are two enable options available; “Zone” tracks all devices within the zone, while “Zone + People” allows you to track individuals within a zone.

    This feature can be particularly useful if you have pets triggering the sensor, turning your lights ON and OFF when no one is home.

:first_quarter_moon_with_face: Night Lights

Night lights allow you to set different lights, switches, scenes or scripts by using a entity state, time or sun condition to choose when these lights will be active.

While some settings are similar to those of normal lights, night lights offer additional options tailored to nighttime lighting control. For further information on night light settings that resemble those of normal lights, please review the details provided above. However, for the unique settings exclusive to night lights, please see below.

  1. Night Lights - Use The Light Control Options

    • If lights are ON, adjust the lights when crossing over

    Selecting ‘If lights are ON, adjust the lights when crossing over’ option ensures that the light control settings will be applied to any lights that are already ON during the transition from normal lights to night lights and vice versa.

    If the ‘If lights are ON, adjust the lights when crossing over’ option is not selected, lights that are already ON when transitioning from normal lights to night lights will remain in their current state. This allows for situations where you may want the lights to stay on later at night or during gatherings without transitioning to night mode immediately. However, once these lights are turned OFF, the night mode settings will be applied the next time they are turned ON. While this option may suit some areas, it may not be preferred everywhere, providing you the flexibility to choose your desired scenario by simply ticking a box.

    Regardless of whether this option is selected or not, if any lights are OFF during the transition from normal lights to night lights and their settings differ, they will either turn ON to the specified light control settings or turn OFF, depending on the configuration.

    • Yes - Manage OFF script when crossing over

    Selecting ‘Yes - Manage OFF script when crossing over’ is beneficial for scripts containing if-then-else actions that toggle various functions on and off during the transition from normal lights to night lights and vice versa.

    If you’re seeking more detailed information on scripts with a working example and would like to know how to set this up correctly then please click here.

  2. Night Lights Conditions

    If you choose to “Enable entity state option” the night lights will be active when the selected entity is ON. If you choose to “Enable time option” the night lights will be active during the set time period. If you choose to “Enable sun elevation option” the night lights will be active when the sun is below the “Sun Elevation” setting. You can enable both conditions if you like but they both must be met for the night lights to work.

    Note: Night lights will still have to pass all the global conditions set for normal lights.

    For more information on the entity state, then please click here.
    For more information on the time settings, then please click here.
    For more information on the sun settings, then please click here.

:candle: Night Glow

This feature activates a low-level light when no trigger is detected, creating a subtle ambient glow perfect for nighttime use. When a trigger, such as a motion sensor, is detected, the light gradually increases to the night light’s brightness level, providing enhanced visibility and functionality without abrupt changes in lighting. You can also customize the light’s colour temperature or RGB colour for added personalization.

Note: Night Glow is only active when using Night Lights.

Hope this helps to explain some of the settings :face_with_monocle:

Enjoy

Blacky :smiley:

Back to FAQ: Click Here

8 Likes