FAQ - By-pass 101
The Bypass Feature
What is the Bypass Feature?
The bypass feature allows manual control over your automation with three options: turning lights ON, turning lights OFF, or pausing (maintaining the current state). You can enable any combination of these options based on your preference.
Can a Light Switch Be Used as a Bypass?
No, a light switch should not be used as a bypass. When the automation triggers, it will also activate the light switch. If you use the switch as a bypass, it will disable the automation every time itâs triggered, making the automation ineffective.
Why Use the Term âBypassâ?
The term âbypassâ was chosen for its clarity and common usage. Unlike technical terms like âHelperâ or âInput Boolean,â âbypassâ is easily understood. This feature isnât limited to Input Booleans; it can be any entity with an ON/OFF state, including binary sensors.
How to Create a Bypass Without a Physical Switch and Add It to a Dashboard
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Create a Bypass Helper:
- Navigate to Settings > Devices & Services > Helpers.
- Click on the Helpers tab, then click + CREATE HELPER and select Toggle.
- Enter a name for the helper, such as âSensor Light Bypassâ, and click Save.
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Configure the Bypass in Automation:
- Return to the automation settings.
- In the Use The Bypass Options (Optional) section, select the desired bypass options.
- In the corresponding Bypass Switch field, search for and select the name you created earlier (e.g., âSensor Light Bypassâ).
- Click Save to apply the changes.
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Add the Bypass Switch to a Dashboard:
- Open your dashboard and click Edit dashboard.
- Click + ADD CARD, then choose Button or Entities.
- In the Entity field, search for the name you created earlier (e.g., âSensor Light Bypassâ).
- Click Save to add the card.
- Click DONE to finalize the changes.
You now have a âSensor Light Bypassâ switch on your dashboard to manually disable the trigger sensor for your automation.
Using the Bypass in the UI (Dashboard)
1. Integrate a Physical Switch:
- If you have a physical switch that reports its state to Home Assistant, you can add this switch directly to your dashboard.
- This allows you to manually control the bypass by toggling the switch ON or OFF from the dashboard.
2. Create a Bypass Without a Physical Switch:
- If you donât have a physical switch, you can create a virtual bypass switch (see instructions on how to create a bypass without a physical switch above).
Use Bypass With a Local Switch
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Description: Use a separate physical switch that reports its state to Home Assistant (HA). This switch is not connected to your lights; its sole purpose is to report a state change to HA.
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Enable Bypass for Turning Lights ON:
- Select 1 - Enable the By-pass - Turn lights ON.
- Enter the switch into âBy-pass Switch - Turn lights ONâ.
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Configure Bypass Time Delay (Optional):
- This controls what happens when you turn the switch OFF. If no motion is detected (Trigger is OFF), the time delay will start, and the lights will turn OFF after the delay. If you prefer the lights to turn OFF immediately, set the time delay to â0â.
- Setting a delay allows the motion sensor to detect motion before turning OFF the lights, preventing the lights from turning OFF and back ON again too quickly.
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Enable Bypass Auto OFF (Optional):
- This option automatically turns the bypass OFF if you forget to do so manually.
Outcome: When the switch is turned ON, the automation will be disabled, and your lights will stay ON. You can also choose options 2 or 3 based on your needs.
Unified Light Control with a Single By-pass Switch
You can use the by-pass feature with a single switch to control all your light automations at once. Choose from âTurn lights ON,â âTurn lights OFF,â or âKeep lightsâ current stateâ for the by-pass. Activating it will apply the selected action to all linked automations simultaneously. You can manually toggle the by-pass or use the auto-off feature to reset it automatically after a set time. If using auto-off, enable it in just one automation for the single by-pass switch.
Integrate the By-pass with Other Automationâs
You can connect the by-pass feature to other automations within my blueprints, enabling you to control multiple automations with a single by-pass switch. Use the links below to explore more and enhance your smart home setup.
Sensor Light Add On - Media & Movie Lights - House Alarm Lights - Smoke Alarm Lights & Exhaust Fans + More Utilize this blueprint to create a movie mode, utilizing the by-pass as a link. For more detailed information, click here.
Bathroom Humidity Exhaust Fan The automation link can utilize the by-pass to keep the lights on during a shower. For more information and details on my full setup of this automation, click here.
Calendar Notifications & Actions The by-pass can be utilized in this blueprint to enable different sets of lights for various calendar events such as Halloween, Christmas, New Year, Sporting Days, Easter, Parties, etc. For more information, click here.
State Notifications & Actions Similar to a calendar event but use a state change.
Conclusion
Hopefully this has given you enough information so you can better understand the power of the by-pass. Now it is up to you and how you would like to use it.
Enjoy
Blacky
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