Are You Receiving Too Many False Notifications from Somfy?
A smart security system should provide peace of mind, not a constant stream of annoying and irrelevant notifications. If your phone is buzzing with alerts from your Somfy Protect system every time the wind blows or a car drives past, it's easy to start ignoring them, which defeats the purpose of having a security system in the first place.
This guide will help you understand why you might be getting false notifications from your Somfy cameras, motion sensors, or IntelliTAG™ door and window sensors, and show you exactly how to fine-tune your system for accurate, meaningful alerts.
Identifying the Cause of False Alarms
The first step is to figure out what kind of false alerts you are receiving. The solution will differ depending on the device and the trigger.
- Motion Sensor Alerts: Notifications triggered by pets, changing light conditions (shadows, headlights), or heat sources like radiators.
- Camera Alerts: Similar to motion sensors, these are often caused by moving trees, insects close to the lens, or light changes within the camera's field of view.
- IntelliTAG™ Alerts: Notifications from your door and window sensors that are not caused by an actual break-in attempt, but perhaps by strong wind, hail, or other vibrations.
How to Reduce and Eliminate False Notifications
Let's dive into the settings you can adjust within the Somfy Protect app to make your system smarter and less prone to false alarms.
1. Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity
This is the most effective tool for reducing unwanted alerts from both cameras and standalone motion sensors. A setting that is too high will cause the sensor to react to the slightest change in its environment.
- Open the Somfy Protect App: Navigate to "My Devices" and select the camera or sensor you want to adjust.
- Go to Settings: Find the "Motion Detection" or "Sensitivity" menu.
- Lower the Sensitivity: The setting is usually a slider or a set of levels (e.g., Low, Medium, High). If you are getting lots of false alerts, lower the sensitivity by one level.
- Test the Change: Wait and see if the number of false alerts decreases. You may need to adjust it a couple of times to find the perfect balance between responsiveness and quietness.
2. Configure Smart Detection Zones for Cameras
If your camera is pointing towards a busy area, like a public pavement or a neighbour's garden, you can tell it to ignore motion in those specific places.
- Select Your Camera: In the Somfy Protect app, go into the settings for the camera you wish to configure.
- Find Detection Zones: Look for an option called "Detection Zone" or "Activity Zones."
- Define the Area: You will typically be shown the camera's view with a grid overlaid. Select only the squares or draw a box that covers the area you do want to monitor (e.g., your driveway, but not the street). Any movement outside this defined zone will be ignored.
3. Calibrate Your IntelliTAG™ Sensors
IntelliTAG™ sensors are unique because they analyse vibrations. If they are too sensitive, they can mistake benign events for threats.
- Navigate to the Sensor Settings: In the app, go to "My Devices," select your IntelliTAG™, and enter its settings menu.
- Adjust Sensitivity Level: You will find a sensitivity scale, often from 1 to 9. If you are getting false alarms from wind or rain, try lowering this number.
- Consider the Mounting: Ensure the sensor is firmly attached to the door or window frame as per the installation instructions. A loose sensor can vibrate excessively and cause false triggers.
4. Utilise the Pet-Friendly Setting
For indoor motion sensors, make sure the "pet-friendly" or "pet immunity" feature is enabled if you have animals. This tells the sensor to ignore smaller movements lower to the ground. If your pet is still triggering the alarm (perhaps it's a larger dog), consider the placement of the sensor. Mounting it slightly higher and pointing it away from furniture they like to climb on can often solve the problem.
By taking a methodical approach and adjusting these settings, you can dramatically reduce the number of false notifications and ensure that when you do get an alert from your Somfy system, it's one that truly deserves your attention.