What types of rules and schedules can be created for Z-Wave lights?

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Customers can create their own rules and schedules using the Alarm.com customer website or Alarm.com app.

Event-triggered rules

The event-triggered rules are triggered by alarms, arming/disarming activity, sensor activity, doorbell camera activity, or when a user’s Geo-Device crosses a Geo-Fence to either turn on, turn off, or dim lights (if applicable).

Note: Light automation rules are not followed during silent panic alarms.

To create or edit a light rule using the Alarm.com app:

Note: Automation rules using a Geo-Fence can only be created as an Event-Triggered Rule using the Alarm.com customer website.

Log in to the Alarm.com app.
Tap .
Tap Automation.
Tap .
Tap New Rule.
Tap When to select devices to trigger the rule.
Tap to select the device type (e.g., Alarm).
Tap to select the trigger devices and status, then tap Done.
Tap Then to select devices to be triggered.
Tap to select the device type (e.g., Light/Switch).
Tap to select the devices and action, then tap Done.
In Type Rule Name Here, enter a name for the rule.
If desired, configure when the rule will run:
1. Tap Run at All Times to edit when the rule will run.
2. Select one of the following options:
  - At All Times for the rule will be carried out any time of day.
  - Only during the following times to determine the specific days and times the rule will be carried out.
    1. Tap to select the days of the week the rule will be active.
    2. Using the Starting at dropdown menu, select the start time for this rule.
    3. Using the Ending at dropdown menu, select the end time for this rule.
  - Only after Sunset for the rule to be carried out based on when sunset occurs for the account's timezone.
3. Tap Done.
Verify the rule is configured with the desired settings.
Tap Save.

To create or edit a light rule using the Alarm.com customer website:

Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
Click Automation.
Click Add New Rule.
Click New Rules Builder.

Note: Automation rules using a Geo-Fence cannot be created using the New Rules Builder. Click Event-Triggered Rule to create an automation rule using a Geo-Fence.
Click When to select devices to trigger the rule.
Click to select the device type (e.g., Alarm).
Click to select the trigger devices and status, then click Done.
Click Then to select devices to be triggered.
Click to select the device type (e.g., Light/Switch).
Click to select the devices and action, then click Done.
In Type Rule Name Here, enter a name for the rule.
If desired, configure when the rule will run:
1. Click Run at All Times to edit when the rule will run.
2. Select one of the following options:
  - Click to select At All Times for the rule will be carried out any time of day.
  - Click to select Only during the following times to determine the specific days and times the rule will be carried out.
    1. Click to select the days of the week the rule will be active.
    2. Using the Starting at dropdown menu, select the start time for this rule.
    3. Using the Ending at dropdown menu, select the end time for this rule.
  - Click to select Only after Sunset for the rule to be carried out based on when sunset occurs for the account's timezone.
3. Click Done.
Verify the rule is configured with the desired settings.
Click Save.

Camera-triggered rules

Camera-driven light automation rules require Lights to be enabled on the customer's service package along, with a compatible camera and at least one Z-Wave light device enrolled on the account. If these requirements are met, the Light Automation section should appear on the configuration screen when creating a Video Analytics Rule.

For more information about configuring Video Analytics rules with Light Automation, see Configure a Video Analytics rule.

Scheduled automation

The scheduled automation allows users to create scheduled actions to turn on, turn off, or dim (if applicable) Z-Wave lights at specific timeframes. Schedules can be created for devices using the Alarm.com customer website or Alarm.com app.

Note: If a Z-Wave light dimmer has a schedule programmed to simply turn the device on, the light may turn on at the most recently used dimming level. If a specific dimming level is desired for the automation, the Dim option should be selected with the desired dimming level.

To create automation schedules using the Alarm.com customer website:

Log in to the Alarm.com customer website, or Log In With Access to the customer's account on the Partner Portal.
Click Automation.
Click Schedules.
Click Add New Schedule.
If prompted, click New Schedule Builder.
In Type Schedule Name Here, enter a name for the schedule.
Click When to select the time the schedule should run.
1. In Time, click to select an available time for the scheduled action to run (e.g., Specific Time, Sunrise, Sunset).
2. In Occurrence, click to select one of the following options:
  - Always will occur every day.
  - Specific Days will occur on the selected days of the week.
3. Verify the selection, then click Next.
Click Then to select the devices and action.
1. Select the type of device to schedule (i.e., Light/Switch).
2. Select the specific devices.
3. In Status, select the action that will occur.
4. Verify the selection, then click Next.
If time adjustments are desired:
1. Click the second condition card for exact or approximate time selection (e.g., Run At Exact Times, Exactly At Sunrise, etc.).
2. If Specific Time was selected for When, click Run at approximate times to give or take about 45 minutes to the entire schedule.
3. If Sunrise or Sunset was selected for When, use the Time Offset dropdown menu to select the amount of time before or after sunset or sunrise.
4. Click Done.
If a second action is desired:
1. Click Add Follow Up Action.
2. In Time, select when the follow-up action should occur and then click Next.
Verify the schedule is configured with the correct settings.
Click Save.

To create automation schedules using the Alarm.com app:

Log in to the Alarm.com app, or Log In With Access to the customer's account on the Partner MobileTech app.
Tap .
Tap Automation.
Tap .
Tap New Schedule.
In Type Schedule Name Here, enter a name for the schedule.
Tap When to select the time the schedule should run.
1. In Time, tap to select an available time for the scheduled action to run (e.g., Specific Time, Sunrise, Sunset).
2. In Occurrence, tap to select one of the following options that may be available:
  - Always will occur every day.
  - Specific Days will occur on the selected days of the week.
3. Verify the selection, then tap Next.
Tap Then to select the devices and action.
1. Select the type of device to schedule (i.e., Light/Switch).
2. Select the specific devices.
3. In Status, select the action that will occur.
4. Verify the selection, then tap Next.
If time adjustments are desired:
1. Tap the second condition card for exact or approximate time selection. (e.g., Run At Exact Times, Exactly At Sunrise, etc.).
2. If Specific Time was selected for When, tap Run at approximate times to give or take about 45 minutes to the entire schedule.
3. If Sunrise or Sunset was selected for When, use the Time Offset dropdown menu to select the amount of time before or after sunset or sunrise.
4. Tap Done.
If a second action is desired:
1. Tap Add Follow Up Action.
2. In Time, select when the follow-up action should occur and then tap Next.
Verify the schedule is configured with the correct settings.
Tap Save.