Outcome
Monitor generator state and power events with notifications, dashboards, and recovery actions.
Audience and Scope
Audience: Home automation builder with intermediate Home Assistant and Docker experience
Estimated Time: 1-4 hours
Difficulty: intermediate
Before You Start
- Generator data source available (integration, sensor, or relay signal).
- Notification channel configured (mobile/app/email).
- Critical loads identified.
Hardware and Software
Hardware
- Generator monitoring input (API, smart relay, or sensor).
- Home Assistant Energy dashboard or equivalent cards.
- Notify integration.
Software
- Generator monitoring input (API, smart relay, or sensor).
- Home Assistant Energy dashboard or equivalent cards.
- Notify integration.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Add generator state sensor
Objective: Create/verify sensor indicating running vs stopped status.
Actions:
- Implement add generator state sensor according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If no updates: check sensor source connectivity and polling interval.
Step 2: Add power context sensors
Objective: Add grid status, transfer switch state, and key circuit load indicators.
Actions:
- Implement add power context sensors according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If no updates: check sensor source connectivity and polling interval.
Step 3: Build dashboard card set
Objective: Create cards for generator state, runtime, and recent events.
Actions:
- Implement build dashboard card set according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If no updates: check sensor source connectivity and polling interval.
Step 4: Create alert automations
Objective: Notify on start, stop, low fuel (if available), and abnormal runtime.
Actions:
- Implement create alert automations according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If no updates: check sensor source connectivity and polling interval.
Step 5: Add escalation rule
Objective: If generator runs longer than threshold, send high-priority alert.
Actions:
- Implement add escalation rule according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If no updates: check sensor source connectivity and polling interval.
Step 6: Validate with test event
Objective: Trigger a test state transition and verify alerts + dashboard updates.
Actions:
- Implement validate with test event according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If no updates: check sensor source connectivity and polling interval.
Validation Checklist
- State changes within expected delay.
- Start/stop notifications arrive.
- Dashboard reflects real-time status.
Operations and Maintenance
- Document update cadence for packages and containers.
- Schedule backup verification.
- Record service health baselines and alert thresholds.
Troubleshooting and Rollback
- If no updates: check sensor source connectivity and polling interval.
- If duplicate alerts: deduplicate triggers with condition windows.
- If false alarms: add debounce delays and confirmation conditions.