Settings By Alert Type
You can specify parameters for each type of security problem (security, fire, etc.).
Delay Before Alarm
'Delay before alarm' specifies the number of seconds, from the time a sensor is tripped, that you will have to enter your PIN code (on an Orbiter) before the alarm sounds. Normally, for security alerts you should allow about 30 seconds so that you can enter the house and shut the alarm off. You may also want a brief delay for 'fire' events, since you will likely add event handlers to tell before LinuxMCE to call the fire department in such cases.
Normally you do not need a delay on 'Movement', 'Announcement' and 'Air Quality' alerts, since these do not normally trigger alarms. If a sensor triggers an announcement, for example, you probably want LinuxMCE to make the announcement right away, rather than waiting for a delay.
The event that is triggered when a sensor is activated is specified in LinuxMCE Admin Website-->Wizard-->Security-->Active sensors (Reaction to sensors), and is dependent on the security state of the house. In other words, a different type of event can be triggered when the house is in the "sleeping" security mode than the event triggered by a sensor when the house is in the "armed -- away" security mode.
Exit Delay
Exit delay means that no events of that type will be triggered for the specified number of seconds whenever you change the house mode by entering your PIN on an Orbiter. Usually you should give yourself an exit delay of at least 30 seconds for security events. If you specify no delay, then the instant you arm a sensor it becomes 'live' and you will have no time to leave the house.
Alarm Duration
Alarm duration indicates how long after firing the initial event that LinuxMCE will wait until it triggers a corresponding 'reset' event.
For example, let's say that you have added an event handler that turns on all the lights, TVs and stereos in the event of a security breach. Normally you wouldn't want them to stay on indefinitely until you return. After the number of seconds specified here, therefore, LinuxMCE will trigger a 'Reset security breach' event. If, in the event handler wizard, you specified for LinuxMCE to turn on all the lights in response to a security event, in response to the reset security event you should specify LinuxMCE to turn them off again.
Pool Alerts
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LinuxMCE is flexible in its response to events. For example, if there is a security alert you may want LinuxMCE to turn on the lights and TVs, but after so many seconds when it resets the security alert, it is possible to specify to turn off the TVs and lights except for the front porch light.
