FAQ - By-pass 101
The By-pass
The bypass feature offers three options for manual control: turning lights ON, turning lights OFF, or maintaining the current state (pause). You can enable any combination of these options based on your preference.
One common question is whether a light switch can be used as a bypass. The answer is no. When the automation triggers the lights ON, it also activates the light switch. If the light switch is used as a bypass, it will disable the automation every time itâs triggered, rendering the automation ineffective.
The term âbypassâ was chosen for clarity. While other terms like âHelperâ or âInput Booleanâ are technical, âbypassâ is a common English word thatâs easily understood. Itâs important to note that the bypass 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 Using a Physical Switch and Add It to a Dashboard:
- Navigate to Settings > Devices & Services > Helpers.
- Click on the âHelpersâ tab, then click â+ CREATE HELPERâ and select âToggle.â
- Enter a name for the helper, such as âSensor Light Bypass,â and click save.
- Return to the automation settings.
- In the âUse The Bypass Options (Optional)â section, select an option youâd like to use.
- In the corresponding âBypass Switchâ field, search for and select the name you created earlier (e.g., âSensor Light Bypassâ).
- Click save to apply the changes.
How to Add a Bypass Switch to a Dashboard:
- Open your dashboard and click âEdit dashboard.â
- Click â+ ADD CARD,â then choose âButtonâ or âEntities.â
- In the entity field, search for the name (entity) you created earlier, such as âSensor Light Bypass.â
- Click save to add the card.
- Click âDONEâ to finalize the changes.
You now have a âSensor Light By-passâ switch to disable the trigger sensor of your sensor light automation.
THE SETTINGS
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Use The By-pass Options (Optional).
Select if you would like to enable an option. Each option allows manual control of your lights but alters its behaviour by either turning ON, OFF, or keeping its current state when the bypass is switched ON. When enabling an option, please enter the bypass switch into the corresponding input below.
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By-pass Switch - Turn lights ON.
Select the switches that will turn your lights ON, bypass the trigger sensor, and allow your lights to function as normal. Please note that the entity cannot be included in the âLights - Switches - Scenes - Scriptsâ or âNight Lightsâ selections.
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By-pass Switch - Turn lights OFF.
Select the switches that will turn your lights OFF, bypass the trigger sensor, and allow your lights to function as normal. Please note that the entity cannot be included in the âLights - Switches - Scenes - Scriptsâ or âNight Lightsâ selections.
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By-pass Switch - Keep The Lights Current State.
Select the switches that will keep your lights current state, bypass the trigger sensor, and allow your lights to function as normal. Please note that the entity cannot be included in the âLights - Switches - Scenes - Scriptsâ or âNight Lightsâ selections.
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By-pass - Time Delay.
This is only used in two bypass scenarios; when the lights are already ON and when the automation turns the lights OFF. The first scenario occurs when you have selected option 2 above to âEnable the Bypass - Turn lights OFFâ. The second scenario occurs when you turn the bypass OFF, the trigger sensor is OFF, and your lights are ON. In both scenarios, the automation will turn your lights OFF after the set time delay.
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Use The By-pass Auto OFF Option (Optional).
This is used when you turn ON the bypass and want it to automatically turn OFF after a set time delay. You can choose which bypass option you would like to apply the auto OFF feature to
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By-pass Auto OFF - Time Delay.
Set the bypass auto OFF time delay. The time delay starts from the last bypass that was turned ON.
By-pass Examples
Use By-pass in the UI (Dashboard).
If you have a physical switch then you can just enter that switch in to the UI (dashboard). If you donât have a physical switch then see above âHow To Create A By-Pass Without Having A Physical Switchâ.
Use Bypass With A Local Switch.
Is there a way to disable the automation when you manually turn the light ON with a physical local switch? The answer is Yes.
I will explain two possible options but there are more.
Option 1
Use an independent physical local switch that reports to Home Assistant (HA). So when you turn it ON and OFF HA can see this state change. This switch is not connected to your lights. The only function is to report a state to HA. You would then;
- Select option â1 - Enable the By-pass - Turn lights ONâ.
- Enter the switch into âBy-pass Switch - Turn lights ONâ.
- You also can set the âBy-pass - Time Delayâ. This controls what happens when you turn the switch OFF. If no motion is detected (Trigger is OFF) then it will start the time delay and turn your lights OFF. If you would like it to go OFF instantly then set the time delay to â0â. If motion is detected when you turn it OFF then the automation will simply run as per normal and your light will turn OFF when no motion is detected and the time delay has passed. This is why it is nice to set a delay as it allows time for the motion sensor to detect motion before turning OFF the lights. It stops them turning OFF and then back ON again.
- Can also use the By-pass Auto OFF Option. If you forget to turn it OFF.
Now when the switch is turned ON the automation will be disabled and your lights will come / stay ON.
Option 2
Use an existing switch that controls something else that reports an ON and OFF state to HA. Could be an existing light not used in the automation. Then use that light as your by-pass so when you manually turn that light ON it turns the by-pass ON keeping the rest of your lights ON. You would then;
- Select option â1 - Enable the By-pass - Turn lights ONâ.
- Enter the switch into âBy-pass Switch - Turn lights ONâ.
- You also can set the âBy-pass - Time Delayâ. This controls what happens when you turn the switch OFF. If no motion is detected (Trigger is OFF) then it will start the time delay and turn your lights OFF. If you would like it to go OFF instantly then set the time delay to â0â. If motion is detected when you turn it OFF then the automation will simply run as per normal and your light will turn OFF when no motion is detected and the time delay has passed. This is why it is nice to set a delay as it allows time for the motion sensor to detect motion before turning OFF the lights. It stops them turning OFF and then back ON again.
- Can also use the By-pass Auto OFF Option. If you forget to turn it OFF.
Now when the other light is turned ON the automation will be disabled and your lights will come / stay ON.
Use The By-pass To Turn ON And OFF All Your Lights.
You can utilize the by-pass to toggle your lights on and off by selecting either option â1 - Enable the By-pass - Turn lights ONâ or â2 - Enable the By-pass - Turn lights OFF.â Once configured, you can employ the same by-pass in multiple automations for convenient control. Activating the by-pass triggers all the associated automations, turning them all ON or OFF simultaneously. After activating it, you can manually deactivate the by-pass or utilize the by-pass auto-off option.
Use the by-pass linking to my other automations.
This can be done with most of my blueprint. I will provide links below to them so you can see how they work. More information can be found there.
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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