Weak arming notification

[Olivierbkk]

What are you missing?

Hello,

I setup a homekit automation to arm the ss in night mode every evening unless a "guest mode" switch is turned on (I use the dummy switch plugin for that) and if it is not already armed in away mode (otherwise it would replace the away mode). Another automation disarms the ss every morning if armed in night mode.

I have another automation (shortcut) that runs whenever the ss arms (manually or from the above mentioned automation) to check if all doors and windows are closed. If a window is open for example, I blink some lights a few times to let me know and I turn on another dummy switch called "weak arming" (it means the ss is armed but security is degraded). The "weak arming" switch turns off when the ss disarms (another automation).

I was wondering if there was a more elegant way to do all that and a way to get a notification on the phone (if possible critical notification) in case of weak arming when I am not home.

[Olivierbkk]

Ok so I found a way to get a critical notification, I replaced the weak arming dummy switch by a second security system that I named weak arming with the folloing setup

{ "name": "Weak Arming", "serial_number": "W3AKARM1NG", "default_mode": "Off", "arm_seconds": 0, "trigger_seconds": 0, "reset_minutes": 10, "save_state": false, "proxy_mode": false, "test_mode": false, "trip_switch_name": "Trip", "trip_home_switch_name": "Trip Home", "trip_away_switch_name": "Trip Away", "trip_night_switch_name": "Trip Night", "trip_override_switch_name": "Trip Weak Arming", "mode_home_switch_name": "Mode Weak Arming", "mode_away_switch_name": "Mode Away", "mode_night_switch_name": "Mode Night", "mode_off_switch_name": "Mode Off", "mode_away_extended_switch_name": "Mode Away Extended", "mode_pause_switch_name": "Mode Pause", "audio_switch_name": "Audio", "override_off": true, "reset_off_flow": true, "double_knock": false, "double_knock_seconds": 90, "double_knock_modes": [ "Away" ], "disabled_modes": [ "Night", "Away" ], "tripped_sensor": false, "tripped_sensor_seconds": 5, "siren_sensor": false, "siren_sensor_seconds": 5, "reset_sensor": false, "mode_switches": false, "mode_off_switch": true, "mode_away_extended_switch": false, "mode_pause_switch": false, "pause_minutes": 0, "arming_lock_switch": false, "arming_lock_switches": false, "siren_switch": false, "siren_override_switch": true, "siren_mode_switches": false, "audio_switch": false, "audio": false, "audio_language": "en-US", "audio_volume": "100", "audio_arming_looped": false, "audio_alert_looped": false, "accessory": "security-system" }

so far so good, when the primary ss arms, there is a shortcut automation that checks all windows sensors status one by one and if any is open, it triggers the trip override switch of the "weak arming" ss. I then get an alarm from this secondary ss.

Still not super elegant... but it works.

[MiguelRipoll23]

Hey @Olivierbkk,

Here’s an alternative that may work.

Turn on the “Show Arming Lock Switch (experimental)” setting and create an automation for every door/window sensor that is triggered by an open event to turn on the arming lock switch.

If the security system is already armed, it will remain armed. If you try to switch to another armed mode like home, away or night it will result in a no response error. You can try to create a shortcuts personal automation that tries to change the mode and then you will probably receive a shortcuts error notification informing you that the HomeKit accessory was not responding.

A little bit tricky but using Shortcuts as you did was the right choice.

[Olivierbkk]

Thanks for your reply, your proposed solution has the advantage of not having the secondary security system however I don't think I can get a proper "critical alert" as such. With the secondary ss, I get a specific "weak arming" critical alert on all our apple devices anywhere we are. Here is a screen shot:

It's a bit clunky but actually not too bad, here is how it looks like in the home app

in the home view I only show two tiles

This is the closest to the holy grail I can get, at least the end result is what I need. I am happy to share as I had been looking for a solution for a long time until I discovered the other day that your plugin allows for multiple ss, hahaha!! Your plugin is really awesome!

[Olivierbkk]

Just after I posted above, I realised that if I change the primary ss name to "Intrusion Alarm", everything becomes nice and clear, notifications, automation, etc, from this

to this

It's all clean and clear now... I stop tinkering!

[MiguelRipoll23]

Unfortunately the use of critical alerts cannot be controlled by developers and they’re used only for mode changes. I see now that you want to receive the notification anywhere and on all devices.

Hopefully Home Shortcuts become more powerful in the future… so much potential.

Thanks for your words about the plugin 😇

[Olivierbkk]

The weak arming ss seems to work with all 3 modes disabled, which means no-one can enable it by mistake. And just like that you have created a way to get a global critical alert in Homekit for just anything you want. This opens a lot of possibilities as all other plugins only provide non critical notifications based on sensors activities.

I feel like a child who just found a new toy 😂