by Onvis recently updated their door/window contact sensor, the CT3, to incorporate Thread technology. With this update, the Onvis CT3 contact sensor is now able to seamlessly integrate with HomeKit Over Thread for a more reliable experience through Siri and the home app. This contact sensor is designed to keep you aware of when doors and windows open and close as well as trigger automations.
Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything related to Apple’s smart home framework.
Why do you need a HomeKit door sensor?
While you may already have an alarm system in place, these sensors can be extremely useful for unlocking automations when doors or windows are opened. Especially if your current security alarm doesn’t support HomeKit, these devices can be a powerful addition.
For example, you can create a HomeKit automation to turn on your living room lights when the front door is opened after 7 p.m. light switch. You can also set it to turn on the lights in your master bedroom if a window is opened after a certain amount of time, etc. Think of the number of teen movies where people sneak in and out of houses to deal with problems that could have been avoided with devices like this!
Installation process
Installing the Onvis CT3 Door/Window Sensor is a breeze and can be done in a few simple steps. Here’s how:
- Remove the sensor box: Start by unpacking the Onvis CT3 Door/Window Sensor.
- Pull out the battery tab: The sensor is powered by a CR2450 and you’ll want to pull the battery tab off the large part of the sensor to power it up.
- Add the accessory: Using the Home app on your iOS device, add the accessory by scanning the QR code on the sensor or manually entering the serial number. Once the app detects the accessory, follow the instructions to add it to your HomeKit environment.
- Select room: Once you’ve added the accessory, you’ll need to select a room to associate it with. This will help you easily identify the sensor in the Home app and use it to trigger automations.
- Select a sensor type: Finally, you will need to select a sensor type for the Onvis CT3 to display as (door, window, contact or blinds). Once you’ve completed these steps, the Onvis CT3 Door/Window Sensor should appear in your chosen room and you can start using it to monitor your home and improve your home automation setup. Now you can stick it on the door/window you want to watch.
Building automation
One of the best features of the Onvis CT3 Door/Window Sensor is its ability to integrate with other HomeKit-enabled accessories to create powerful automations. Here’s how you can start building automations using this device:
- Select a trigger: The first step to creating a HomeKit automation with the Onvis CT3 is to select it as a trigger. Go to the Home app, look for the + button, tap “add automation”. Then press “a sensor detects something”. Now you’ll want to look for the sensor.
- Select an accessory automation: Now you’ll want to select “want this trigger to appear when it opens or closes” and based on either time or people arriving/departing.
- Select a component for automation: Once you’ve chosen your trigger, you’ll need to choose an action to take when the rule fires. This can be anything from turning on a light or playing music.
- Set up automation: After creating your automation, be sure to test it to make sure it works as expected. If it’s not working properly, you can improve the automation by adjusting the trigger, action, or conditions. Finally, press “done” and the automation is ready to start.
Fold in Onvis CT3 Door/Window Sensor
The Onvis CT3 Door/Window Sensor is a great investment for anyone looking to improve their home automation setup and improve their overall home security. With its low cost and seamless integration with HomeKit, this device offers an easy and efficient way to automate doors and windows and monitor your home 24/7.
Thread support on this device means it will work incredibly well with HomeKit, ensuring you get instant notifications when doors or windows are opened. Plus, with a standby time of up to a year, you won’t have to worry about constantly replacing batteries or monitoring the device.
Whether you want to automate your lights, set up security alerts, or simply monitor your home, the Onvis CT3 Door/Window Sensor is definitely worth considering. So why not take the plunge and give it a try today? With its excellent quality, hassle-free installation and powerful features, it is sure to be a valuable addition to your home automation toolbox.
It can be purchased from Amazon or directly from Onvis.
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