The Insteon Motion Sensor is a model 2420M as you see here. The 9 volt battery and mounting stand are included.

Insteon Wireless Motion Sensor 2420M

Removing the battery cover reveals five jumper pins and Set button. Installation and operation are simple, the Quick Start Guide is available here with the details.

Insteon 2420M Motion Sensor - Rear View

The motion sensor LED is quite bright and flashes when in “Link” mode after pressing the Set button. It also flashes when motion is detected. The LED brightness is configurable on a 0 to 100 scale through the ISY-99i Administrative Console, with 0 (zero) turning off the LED.

Motion Sensor LED

Access Point Wireless Phase Coupler

The 2420M motion sensor is an RF only Insteon device and requires a Access Point RF receiver/phase coupler to communicate with the Insteon power line network. It’s simple to “link” the motion sensor by pressing the Set buttons on both devices per the product instructions.

Customizing the Motion Sensor Settings

The motion sensor Timeout, LED Brightness and Darkness Sensitivity can be customized via the ISY-99i Administrative Console. I left the timeout at the default of 1 minute, set the LED brightness down to 10 because the default value 75 is too bright at night, and left the Darkness Sensitivity at the default of 35.

Linking the Motion Sensor

The motion sensor is linked only to the Access Point wireless receiver. I did not link the motion sensor to the ToggleLinc light switch because I will have an ISY-99i program decided what to do with the motion sensor events.

Insteon Network Overview

Now that I’ve installed the ToggleLinc switch, wireless motion sensor, Access Point wireless coupler, PowerLinc power line modem and ISY-99i home automation controller – I’m ready to begin programming the ISY-99i.

This is my Insteon network so far (click on the image for larger view):

Insteon Network Overview - Porch Lights Automation

Motion Sensor Programming

My requirements for the porch light program are:

1. The porch lights will turn on for 10 minutes when motion is sensed from 30 minutes before sunset to 15 minutes after sunrise.
2. The motion sensor can be overridden by “double clicking” OFF, i.e. pressing the ToggleLinc switch OFF quickly two times, to keep the porch lights off indefinitely. This is useful when I want to look at the stars or for Halloween when the scene should be kept dark to view the decorations.
3. Manually turning the ToggleLinc switch ON will turn on the lights indefinitely and re-enable the motion sensor program. When the switch is manually turned OFF, the motion sensor program takes over again by default.

In practice, the common scenarios are:

• Lights are controlled by the motion sensor by default.
• If I turn the switch ON, the lights stay ON until I turn them OFF.
• If I want to keep the porch lights off for a time, I double click OFF the light switch.
• When I come back inside, I flip the light switch ON/OFF once to re-enable the motion sensor.

An program upgrade would be to include a reset program to run, say, at 30 minutes past sunrise everyday to turn OFF the lights and re-enable the motion sensor in case I manually overrode the lights and forgot to turn them off. Hmm, I think I’ll add this feature – see the update later in this article.

The motion sensor program flow chart is:

Porch Light Program Flow Chart

The ISY-99i program code is kept in a Folder named ‘Front Porch Light’.

Folder Conditions for 'Front Porch Light'
Add conditions to limit when programs in this folder are allowed to run.

If
   - No Conditions - (To add one, press 'Schedule' or 'Condition')

Then
   Allow the programs in this folder to run.

Comment:
The programs in this folder are:
1) 'Porch Motion Sensed'
2) 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes'
3) 'Porch Light Switched On'
4) 'Porch Light Switched Fast Off'

===========

Program Content for 'Porch Motion Sensed'

If
   From    Sunset  - 30 minutes
   To      Sunrise + 15 minutes (next day)
   And Control 'Porch Motion Sensor' is switched On
   And (
         Status  'Front Porch Light Switch' is not On
         And Program 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes' is False
       )

Then
   Run Program 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes' (Then Path)

Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

===============

Program Content for 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes'

If
   - No Conditions - (To add one, press 'Schedule' or 'Condition')

Then
   Set 'Front Porch Light Switch' On
   Wait  10 minutes
   Set 'Front Porch Light Switch' Off
   Run Program 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes' (Else Path)

Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Comment:
Turns the porch light on for 10 minutes. A program is used such that
the 'Wait' isn't reinitialized by new events triggering If conditions.

================

Program Content for 'Porch Light Switched On'

If Control 'Front Porch Light Switch' is switched On

Then
   Stop program 'Porch Motion Sensed'
   Enable Program 'Porch Motion Sensed'
   Run Program 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes' (Else Path)

Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Comment:
This program returns control to the motion sensor and reinitializes
the conditional logic flags.
Run Program (Else Path) to reset the motion on/off flag.

===============

Program Content for 'Porch Light Switched Fast Off'

If Control 'Front Porch Light Switch' is switched Fast Off

Then
   Stop program 'Porch Motion Sensed'
   Disable Program 'Porch Motion Sensed'
   Run Program 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes' (Else Path)

Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Comment:
Double tap (Fast Off) disables the motion sensor such that the
porch light stays off until the switch is manually turned on again.
Purpose of the 'Run Program ... (Else Path)' is to reset the motion
on/off flag.

Bonus Program

I added this new program to turn off porch lights at dawn and reset the motion sensor control in case I manually overrode the motion sensor and forgot to turn OFF the lights. This ensures the motion sensor code is is ready for the next night.

Program Content for 'Porch Light Daily Reset'

If
   Time is Sunrise + 30 minutes

Then
   Set 'Front Porch Light Switch' Off
   Run Program 'Porch Light On 10 Minutes' (Else Path)
   Enable Program 'Porch Motion Sensed'

Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Comment:
Turns off the porch lights 30 minutes after dawn and resets the
program flags in case the lights were manually overridden and left
on all night.

This is how the programs are organized in the ISY-99i Admin Console (click for a full size image):

Porch Light Programs in the ISY-99i Admin Console

For more information on the ISY-99i, the Universal Devices Wiki page is an excellent resource.

Hope this helps,

Bob Jackson

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There are three basic options for home automation software and controllers:

1. A desktop computer software application.
   For example, PowerHome2 or mControl. The user interfaces and features are very nice and powerful. The downside is you have to leave your computer on.
2. A dedicated home automation controller like the ISY-99i by Universal Devices. The advantage is the ISY-99i is a computer, supports remote access via the web, and you can leave your desktop computer off. The disadvantage is it require some programming skill. If you can program in BASIC then you should be successful.
3. SmartLinc – Insteon Central Controller. The SmartLinc enables remote web access to your Insteon devices, supports timers and schedules, and does not require a desktop computer. The limitation is it does not support custom programming.

Universal Devices ISY-99i Home Automation Controller

Reasons for Choosing the ISY-99i Home Automation Controller

Of the three options, the ISY-99i met my criteria because it:

1. Operates without a desktop computer – I didn’t want to leave my PC on all the time.
2. Supports program logic – allowing me to create programs that respond to various event triggers like motion detectors, door open/close sensors, e-mail notifications, etc.
3. Enables Internet access from any web browser to view and control the home automation network. I use my iPhone and laptop to access the ISY-99i web pages.
4. Low cost – about $350.00 with the PowerLinc modem (PLM).
5. Excellent online product support and extensive knowledge base.

ISY-99i Overview

The ISY-99i is a small device that would easily fit into a structured wiring cabinet. The status LEDs are on the front.

ISY-99i Front

The ISY-99i has four ports (left to right):

1. RJ-45 Ethernet port to connect to the home router.
2. DB-9 serial port
3. RJ-45 serial port for connecting to the SmartLinc powerline modem (PLM).
4. Barrel socket for DC power.

Of the four ports, the DB-9 port and DC power socket aren’t normally needed. This ISY-99i is powered via the serial port by the PLM.

ISY-99i - Interface Ports

The ISY-99i has an internal SD memory card for the file system.

SD Memory Card Slot

The ISY-99i is shown here in the center with my other home networking equipment. Left to right: DSL modem, Linksys WRT-54G WiFi router, ISY-99i, NetGear FS-108P switch and NetGear WiFi Phone for Skype base unit.

ISY-99i and Home Network Equipment

Insteon PowerLinc Modem

A PowerLinc Power Line Modem (PLM) is required for the ISY-99i to communicate with Insteon devices over the home power wiring and radio frequency (RF) links. The PLM also powers the ISY-99i via the Ethernet cable.

PowerLinc Modem (PLM)

The PowerLinc PLM plugs into a standard electrical outlet to communicate with the Insteon network. The Set button and status LED is on the side of the unit.

PowerLinc Power Line Modem

The interface port is an RJ-45 connector and uses a standard Cat5 Ethernet cable to connect to the ISY-99i. The communication protocol with the ISY99i is serial, not Ethernet, but this is automatic and transparent to the user.

RJ-45 Port for the Serial Interface to the ISY-99i

The PowerLinc plugs into any electrical outlet. The Ethernet cable plugs into the bottom of the unit and the other end is plugged into the ISY-99i serial port. A pass-through electrical outlet on the front of the unit is provided so you don’t lose an outlet.

PowerLinc Power Line Modem

Next up – working with an Insteon Wireless Motion Sensor and ToggleLinc light switches to automate my front porch lights.

Enjoy,

Bob Jackson

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