ELK + ISY994i + Insteon Motion Sensors

[3PNTSTech]

Hi there,
I did some searching and couldn't see any thread in how to make a Insteon Motion Sensor work with the ELK.
 
I'm assuming you have to write sometime of rule like:
 
When "System is "Armed" then any device that is trigged, set zone X is "Violated"  Something like that?
 
Or am I way off?
 
Kevin
 

 

[gatchel]

I wouldn't use an insteon motion for security purposes.....That being said, have you tried using the programming in the 994 to turn on an unused output on the ELk? Then use that "phantom" output to cause an alarm with the elk rules or something along that line. I'm sure it's doable but not in front of a setup as of yet.
 
You will probably need the ISY Elk add on if you don't already have it...

 

[3PNTSTech]

Thanks for the quick reply.
 
Yeah, I did see some threads regarding not using Insteon Motion Sensors for Elk.   Just didn't want to purchase a different set for that.
 
For example, the motion sensor is in the basement, which is very large and open space.   So if you are to break a window to gain entry any motion is fine to be captured.  
 
But I guess I could just use the Insteon for other application and still use the security ones.
 
P.S. Yes I have the ELK add-on, but I didn't see anything on how to use a motion sensor.  Lights yes, motion no.
 
Kevin

 

[gatchel]

You may get better support over at the Universal devices forums for the motion support and programming logic.

 

[narih1]

I wouldn't use insteon motion sensors with Elk.  I have and ISY/Elk set up and although you could do something like this I find the insteon motion sensors are far too sensitive to be used for security purposes (and not really cheaper than actual security sensors).  I went the other way and have set up wireless honeywell sensors with my Elk.  I then use these through the ISY to trigger programs for lights to be activated, etc.

 

[tmbrown97]

Definitely 1) not a good idea, and 2) not easily accomplished.  
 
1) as said above, they're different sensors - they don't have the same profiling and logic built into them to prevent false alarms.
 
2) the Elk can't really be set off based on a rule or program - I think there may be a way to rig it with the ISY that you can't do with a traditional Elk rule, but regardless, there's no way to make an Insteon sensor act as a zone within the Elk, therefore it wouldn't log the same or report the same way to a central station.  
 
Even though the lines get a bit blurred between security and automation, you'd use security sensors for automation, not automation devices for security - or better yet, security for security, and automation for automation - it's what they're built for and what they'll perform best at.