Trigger automation if action not seen in N hours

Configuration
1

I have an Aqura vibration sensor attached to my sump pump. Each time it runs, it increments a counter so I can see how many times it runs per day, and how long it’s been since it last run. I want to add an automation that triggers if the sump pump has not run in N hours (something like 4 hours). How can I do this?

Bob

2

An easy way would be to use a State Trigger.

alias: example
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: switch.sump_pump
    from: 'on'
    to: 'off'
    for:
      hours: 4
condition: []
action:
  ... your actions ...

It will trigger when the switch is off for 4 consecutive hours. Its countdown is reset whenever the switch turns on.

The drawback of this technique is that a restart, or Reload Automations, will also reset the countdown. If that’s a deal breaker then you will need to use a polling technique (say every 5 minutes) that checks the switch’s last_changed property to determine how long it’s been in the off state`.

3

Thanks, state trigger seems to be what I’m looking for.

4

What about an input_number for the for option?

5

You’re welcome!

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