I monitor a second home using (among other things) motion sensors. The motion sensors are subject to “false” alarms that I think are most often caused by my little rodent friends (e.g.: mice) scurrying about. I’ve learned to accept that they’re going to scurry - particularly as temperatures drop in the fall - so I’m looking at strategies to distinguish motion alarms tripped by their activities from alarms tripped by an intruder. One strategy might be a time threshold – does the motion persist for more than a given number of seconds? Another might be waiting for a second motion sensor to be tripped. Each of these have their pros and cons. Has anyone used such strategies? What’s worked for you?
Avoiding False Motion Alarms
Eric182
#2
Here is something that I do for my smart things multipurpose sensor’s. They are notorious for showing activity when they are not being active. So if one of them is active, and then the same one is active again with in two minutes I will get an alert.
I won’t get an alert if that sensor is only active one time.
WCmore
#3
I like your strategy @Eric182, but I would be afraid to use it for security purposes. It is too easy for a crook to unplug the modem, preventing the notification from going thru.
Unfortunately, I do not have any better ideas that do not compromise security.
The method that I do is just look at my Notifications, and I can tell by what is displayed there if it is a false alarm or not. As added peace of mind, I also have it notify me when the motion changes to inactive (so I know the internet is still working)
an39511
#4
I have a cat that likes to roam around and jump up on things. What I do is use strategically placed motion sensors and a webCore piston that only notifies when multiples go active. I have one in the kitchen, dining room, living room, rec room. Example; If the cat is in the living room tripping that sensor and other times in the kitchen jumping on the counter tops (which it is not supposed to do) then no alerts are necessary.
Keep in mind that if you ever have real break in you can be reassured the intruder(s) are not only invading one area, they are moving around quickly and throughout the house. I have used this strategy for over a year and not one false alarm due to roaming pets or mice whatever the case may be,