Things to remember about Scenes:

  • A Scene can only perform a single action, but that action can be programmed to operate multiple devices. For example: You can create a scene that turns on multiple lights in your home and raises the thermostat. However...
  • To undo the changes made when the scene runs, a separate scene is required to reset those changes. In other words, a separate scene is needed to turn off lights that were turned on by the first scene or re-lock doors that were unlocked by the first scene, etc.
  • Scenes send specific commands to your devices. For example, if a light switch in your system is already on when it receives the command "Turn On", nothing will happen. In other words, that switch will not mindlessly toggle to its Off state. Devices that are compatible with Total Connect are smart enough to understand the difference between "Turn On" and a simple "flip the other way".
Scenes can be started or triggered in three ways which are explained below. This example shows creation of a clock and calendar-controlled scene.

If you have an account with more than one Location, start by selecting the Location where you want to use the Scene you're creating. If your system has only one Location, start with #2.

1.        On the Security page, use the Locations dropdown to select where the Scene will be used.
        
2.        On the left side of the screen, select Scenes.
        
The Scenes menu appears; this example shows a system with several scenes already created:
        
3.        Click the button in the upper right corner of the screen.
4.        On the next screen, name the scene and click . (See the notes at the end of this article for suggestions about naming Scenes.)

5. Next, choose the type of trigger that will run (start) the scene:
  • During a scheduled time: This will open a page of clock/calendar settings so you can choose the exact day and time the scene runs. Remember that each time/date-based scene only initiates a single action, starting at a specific time/date. You will be setting a start time, not a start time and an end time. (Note: On screens you will see later in the setup process, During this time scenes will appear in a group called simply Schedules.)
  • Triggered by some device: Choose this option if you want the scene to be triggered by a change in the state of another piece of hardware in your system, like the security system being disarmed.
  • Manually activate: This kind of scene is handy for actions like turning off all the lights when you're ready to start a movie night, for example.

    NOTE that any scene can be run manually, regardless of the type of trigger you select.


6. For the purpose of this example, select During a scheduled time. This opens a screen of clock and calendar options.

7. Set the time and day(s) when you want the scene to run. Below, the scene is being set to run at 5:30 PM on weekdays. (Note that the time-of-day options include Sunrise and Sunset.)


8. Click to save the time/date settings and move on to the next step, where you will choose the devices that will be controlled by the scene.

9. Click the next to the name of each hardware category to expand the view (below left):
At right above, we have set 2 regular light switches and a dimmer to turn on at the appointed time of 5:30 PM on weekdays.
10. Click . A summary of the scene's trigger type and the devices/systems involved appears.
11. Click . The website confirms that it is saving your changes.


Next, the main Scenes screen returns. Note that the display may appear 'collapsed' again:

If it appears this way, click the buttons to expand each category.

NOTES

  • It's a good idea to give your scenes simple, meaningful names. For example, in an emergency, you don't want to be on the phone with the babysitter, struggling to explain a jokey name you've given to the lights on the patio.
  • Scenes on the website are grouped by the type of trigger that starts them. Within these categories, they're listed alphabetically. Entries beginning with numbers follow those listed alphabetically.
  • You can take advantage of the way numbering is handled to make life a little easier. Let's say you've created two scenes that you naturally think of together:
    • One is LitesOnHeatUp, which turns on lights and raises the thermostat shortly before you get home from work.
    • The other is LitesOffHeatDn, which turns off those lights and lowers the thermostat when you go to bed. However...
    • It makes you crazy that they are listed like this:

      You can begin a scene's name with a numerical character to make the displayed list clearer: