Fix false positives on automation for current detection on plug

[warm sky]

I have an automation on a matter plug that will send me a message when the current drops below 1 (it is on a dryer in our outbuilding). The issue is that our network connection is pretty spotty out there and when the plug gains connectivity again (or just feels like it) I get a push notification about the the dryer being finished, despite it not being on.

Is there a way to prevent this?

The full automation is here:

description: ""
triggers:
  - type: current
    device_id: xxx
    entity_id: xxx
    domain: sensor
    trigger: device
    below: 1
    for:
      hours: 0
      minutes: 2
      seconds: 0
conditions: []
actions:
  - parallel:
      - action: notify.mobile_app_xxx
        metadata: {}
        data:
          title: Dryer Finished
          message: Dryer has finished it's job
      - action: notify.mobile_app_xxx
        metadata: {}
        data:
          title: Dryer Finished
          message: Dryer has finished it's job
mode: single```

[ivory moat]

Most reliable way imo: make a switch helper - turn it on when the power is >1kW or something, add a condition in here to check if the switch is on before running actions, and add an action to turn the helper off

[warm sky]

I've not used helpers before so it'll be something new to jump in to

[warm sky]

I think that's right - I guess we'll find out when I do some washing 🙂
Thanks for the pointer!

[warm sky]

That worked beautifully. Thanks again for the recommendation.