Rules and automations
If the probe goes over a threshold, turn off the pump. Rules that are simple to write, with safeties designed for living things.
Readable rules
A rule links conditions to actions on your equipment:
- Threshold: a numeric probe compared with a value (temperature > 27 °C);
- State: an on/off sensor in a given state (low float switch);
- Time window: between two times, including across midnight (22:00 → 07:00).
Conditions are combined with AND or OR.
Safety first
Badly controlled equipment can kill a tank. Rules take that into account:
- Safety lock: while the condition is active, the equipment cannot be switched back on, not even by hand.
- Maximum run time: the ATO never pumps longer than planned. Beyond that, it goes into fault and waits for your acknowledgement.
- Silent probe alert: a probe that stops responding is flagged instead of ignored.
Return to the previous state
When the condition ends, the equipment can go back to the state it was in. Example: the pump turned off during feeding restarts by itself.
Executed on the controller
Rules are compiled into the ESP’s firmware: they keep applying even if the server is unreachable. Time-based rules require an RTC clock on the controller.