Samsung - SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor - White

Q: Can this alert only when a door is left open for more than a certain amount of time, not when it just opens? Renters leave doors open in winter!

A: You can set it up to notify you when the door is opened or closed. You can use the phone app and see if a door is open or closed.

Q: Refrigerator or freezer temps?

A: Absolutely! I actually used a SmartThings motion sensor for this purpose (just because I had an extra - but the multi sensor should work the same for temp). In my case it would detect both motion and temp. I setup an alert to trigger whenever the temp went above or below a certain temp. You can configure in the app to either send a text or do a push notification from the app itself. NOTE: I learned it is perfectly normal that a fridge temp will go up and down quite a bit b/c it actually will warm to a certain temp, then the cooling will kick in and drop it back down. If I remember correct mine varied by about 5 degrees even during "normal" operation. SmartThings has a great community forum if you want to ask specific questions about how to configure exactly what you are looking for.

Q: Can this be used outdoors?

A: This is not weather proof, I guess it's not recommended to expose this to direct sunlight or water or dust.

Q: Does it have to have the Samsung Smart Things Hub or will it work with a Philips Hue Hub?

A: The Samsung Multi-sensor will not work with the Philips Hue Hub, however Philips Hue lights will work with the Samsung Smart things Hub.

Q: I thought that this sensor only detects if something is open but on this site it states that it can send an alert if someone knocks on the door. How does it do this?

A: it detects an open or closed status when in proximity of the included magnet. It senses temperature of the surface that it is mounted to. It senses vertical and horizontal orientation (for garage door open/closed) status. ...and it senses vibration as a result of someone attempting forced entry, or knocking upon the door.

Q: Could I use this to monitor temp at my cabin from my home to keep a eye in indoor temps and gmaybe alert if it gets cold if my heat fails so I’d know to run up there? If so what would I need ? I have WiFi there Thanks

A: Yes you can. You would need a Wink 2 or Samsung hub in your cabin. The sensors would report to the hub, and the hub would transmit to the Internet. I suggest reading up on “creating robots with Wink 2” or “IFTTT” apps for Samsung Smartthings and Wink to get accurate instructions or existing apps for being notified about temp readings.

Q: Will make a loud sound like other window sensors? By the time I see an alert on my iPhone, the burglars will done robbing the place as it takes them 4 minutes on average.

A: No, this does not function as an alarm and will not emit any sound whatsoever. It is just a sensor which can detect when a door or window is opened or closed. You will need a separate alarm which can be triggered on the state of the sensor within the ST config.

Q: Can this be connected to the Amazon echo dot and controlled by it?

A: Hmmm, well the Echo system will Sync and work with Samsung Smart Things however Echo is about ditching the Smart phone and using your voice to control functions in your home. The Multi-Sensor can not do anything as pertaining to using your voice so they don't work together that way. It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish as to what I would recommend. For instance as it pertains to lights in your home you have several options like Smart bulbs or even WEMO switches or Smart outlets for lamps. All of these can be controlled via your voice with the Amazon Echo Dot. Like wise they can all be controlled with the Multi-sensor too, Open a door and the lights come on, you can then in turn have the lights turn back off after several minutes. Hope this helps,