Hello fellow smart home enthusiasts! I wanted to share my recent success with setting up motion sensors and automations in my home. It’s been a journey of trial and error, but I’m thrilled with the results. 
The Setup:
I’ve installed two Zigbee motion sensors—an Aqara and an IKEA model—in my garage. My goal was to automate the lights and also receive alerts when motion is detected while I’m away. The lights turn on perfectly when motion is detected, thanks to two simple automations. However, I ran into an issue when trying to combine both sensors into a single alert system.
The Challenge:
Initially, I set up separate automations for each sensor. They worked flawlessly, turning on the lights exactly when needed. But when I tried to create an alert that triggers for either sensor, it didn’t work as expected. The automation only responded to one sensor, not both. After some research and tweaking, I realized the issue was with how the triggers were configured.
The Solution:
I discovered that using an or condition in the trigger section was the key. By properly structuring the automation, both sensors now work seamlessly together. Now, whenever motion is detected in the garage while I’m away, I receive a timely alert on my phone. It’s incredibly reassuring!
Lessons Learned:
This experience taught me the importance of carefully structuring automations, especially when combining multiple devices. Testing each part of the automation separately before combining them is a great way to ensure everything works as intended.
Looking Ahead:
I’m excited to expand this setup to other areas of my home. Maybe adding more motion sensors and integrating them with my security system? The possibilities are endless!
If anyone has tips or suggestions for improving my setup, I’d love to hear them. Happy automating! 