Configure binary sensors
How to configure binary sensors in boneIO Black.
Binary sensors are ideal for devices with two states: motion sensors, reed switches, flood sensors, etc.
How to add or edit a binary sensor?
- Go to Settings → Binary Sensors
- Click Add New or the edit icon next to an existing sensor
- Fill in the configuration form
Basic settings
Display Name
Friendly name for the sensor, e.g.:
Living Room Motion SensorFront DoorBedroom Window
This name will be visible in the interface and Home Assistant.
BoneIO Input
Select the physical input from the dropdown:
IN_01,IN_02,IN_03, ...IN_56(depending on model)
Avoid inputs with limitations (IN_01, IN_02, IN_09, IN_10, IN_19, IN_20, IN_21) for reed switches and motion sensors that may be active at controller startup.
Area / Room
Select an area from the dropdown - the sensor will be automatically assigned to this area in Home Assistant.
Bounce Time
Contact debounce time (default: 120ms). For motion sensors and reed switches, usually no change is needed.
Device Class
Device class in Home Assistant - affects icon and behavior:
| Device Class | Icon | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| motion | Motion | Motion sensors |
| door | Door | Door reed switches |
| window | Window | Window reed switches |
| opening | Opening | General opening sensors |
| moisture | Water | Flood sensors |
| smoke | Smoke | Smoke detectors |
| gas | Gas | Gas detectors |
| occupancy | Occupancy | Occupancy sensors |
| vibration | Vibration | Vibration sensors |
| tamper | Tamper | Tamper sensors |
Options
Show in HA
Enable to make the sensor visible in Home Assistant (enabled by default).
Inverted
Invert sensor logic:
- Normal: active input = sensor ON
- Inverted: active input = sensor OFF
Useful when a reed switch is mounted in reverse.
Initial Send
Send sensor state at controller startup.
Clear Message
Clear MQTT message after state change.
Actions - Pressed and Released
Binary sensors have two action tabs:
Pressed
Actions executed when the sensor changes to active state (e.g., motion detected, door opened).
Released
Actions executed when the sensor changes to inactive state (e.g., no motion, door closed).
How to add an action?
- Go to the Pressed or Released tab
- Click Add Action
- Select the action type and configure parameters
Action types
| Action Type | Description |
|---|---|
| output | Control an output (light, switch) |
| cover | Control a cover |
| mqtt | Send an MQTT message |
| output_over_mqtt | Control an output via MQTT |
| cover_over_mqtt | Control a cover via MQTT |
| remote_output | Control an output on a remote device |
| remote_cover | Control a cover on a remote device |
Configuration examples
Example 1: Hallway motion sensor
- Display Name:
Hallway Motion Sensor - BoneIO Input:
IN_05(avoid inputs with limitations) - Area / Room:
Hallway - Device Class:
motion
Actions:
- Pressed: ON
Hallway Light - Released: OFF
Hallway Light
Example 2: Front door reed switch
- Display Name:
Front Door - BoneIO Input:
IN_06 - Area / Room:
Entrance - Device Class:
door - Inverted: ✅ (if reed switch shows reversed)
No actions - just state monitoring in Home Assistant.
Example 3: Flood sensor
- Display Name:
Bathroom Flood Sensor - BoneIO Input:
IN_07 - Area / Room:
Bathroom - Device Class:
moisture
Actions:
- Pressed: OFF
Main Water Valve(automatic valve closure when water detected)
After saving, the sensor will appear in the table and be available in Home Assistant with the appropriate icon and device class.