Make Scenes Run at the Right Time with State Duration Conditions

Smart scenes work best when they run at the right moment, not just the first moment a device changes state.

With the “Stayed on/off for a duration“, your scenes run only after the supported devices have stayed on or off for the duration you set, helping you avoid unnecessary triggers, manage device runtime, and reduce wasted energy.

How It Works

When you use a supported device as a scene trigger and select On or Off, you can enable a duration option.

Instead of running the scene immediately, eWeLink checks whether the selected state stays true for the full duration.

For example, if a smart plug connected to a garden pump turns on, the scene does not have to run right away. You can set it to run only if the plug has stayed On for 10 minutes. If the plug turns off before the set duration, the scene will not run.

Why Letting a Scene Wait Helps

Instant On/Off triggers are useful when a scene should respond right away. For example, when a switch turns on, you may want another device to turn on immediately.

But not every On/Off change needs an instant action. If a device only changes state briefly, or if you want to make sure it has really been left on, has run long enough, or has stayed off for a while, an instant trigger may run too early.

That is when a state duration setting can help. This small wait can help you save energy, avoid unnecessary actions, manage device runtime, and make scenes more predictable and manageable.

How to Set It Up

You will see the duration option after choosing On or Off for a supported trigger device.

1. Open or create a smart scene.
2. Under If, choose a supported device as the trigger.
3. Select On or Off.
4. Toggle to enable “Stayed on for a duration” or “Stayed off for a duration” setting.
5. Set the Duration, from 1 sec to 2 h 59 min 59 sec.
6. Add the action you want the scene to perform.
7. Tap Save.

Once saved, the scene will only run when the selected device has stayed in that state for the duration you set.

Scene Ideas Worth Trying

If these devices are connected and controlled by the eWeLink-supported plugs or switches, you can build scenes with the duration setting like these:

• Bedside Lamp Left On

If: A lamp stays on for 2 hours,
Then: Turn it off or send a notification

• Garden Pump Running Too Long

If: A pump stays on for 10 minutes
Then: Turn it off automatically

• Bathroom Fan Left Running

If: A fan stays on for 30 minutes
Then: Turn it off

• Heater Runtime Check

If: A compatible heater stays on for nearly 3 hours
Then: Send a notification or turn it off when safe
 

These scenes are useful when a device should run for a while, but not indefinitely. A short wait helps eWeLink tell the difference between normal use and something that may need attention, such as a forgotten lamp, an overrun pump, a fan left on after ventilation, or a heater running longer than needed.
For heaters, pumps, and other high-power appliances, make sure the connected device is safe and suitable for use with your plug or switch.

Things to Know

• This feature is currently not supported in local scenes.
• If you view the same scene in an older app version or on eWeLink WEB, the trigger may appear as On or Off only. The duration rule will still apply if it was configured in a supported app version.

Supported Devices

This feature is available for eligible devices used as scene triggers with an On or Off condition.

Start with one device you often forget to turn off, and make your automations easier to manage.

What important features are we missing? We’d love to hear from you! Join our discussion here.