Questions around update cycle

[emufan]

Can someone perhaps explain, when and how often the different variants from of powercalc sensors are updated (with regards to the Riemann discussion and other questions in my mind for my "best setup"?

a. I saw the config scan_interval and the comment "Interval at which the sensor state is updated, even when the power value stays the same. Format HH:MM:SS".

To which sensor this applies to? The Power? So e.g. I have a sensor

  - platform: powercalc
    entity_id: light.wohnzimmerschrank
    standby_power: 0.3
    fixed:
      power: 15

I assumed, that with global setting scan_interval: 00:01:00 the power sensor get a new data point (last_updated) every 1 minute. But it is updating every 30 seconds. Nothing I would care about, but this question (and the related next ones) are only to understand the logic and to choose the best settings in my setup and requirements.

b. And if the state of the referenced entity, here light.wohnzimmerschrank is changing, that the power sensor is designed to update directly outside the 1 minutes 30 seconds intervall (see a.)?

c. And if I have a template like

  - platform: powercalc
    entity_id: input_boolean.gartenbewasserung
    fixed:
      power: "{{ states('sensor.gartenbewasserung_stromstarke')|float(default=3) }}"

then, the power entity is designed to update, everytime (multiple selects are allowed 😉)

[ ] directly when the state from input_boolean.gartenbewasserung is changing
[ ] every 1 minute / 30 seconds (see a.)
[ ] directly every time when the state from sensor.gartenbewasserung_stromstarke is changing and input_boolean.gartenbewasserung == on
[ ] directly every time when the state from sensor.gartenbewasserung_stromstarke is changing and input_boolean.gartenbewasserung == off as well (even if this would not have influence on the power sensor)

d. and the energy_sensor is updating every time the power-sensor get's updated? Or is there another interval relevant.

[bramstroker]

Not sure why the power sensor is updating every 30 seconds when you set scan_interval at 00:01:00. It should be every 1 minute. Need to investigate that. Could you make an issue for that?
I would suggest to not set it as low as 1 minute to not record too many state changes as it will quickly grow your database.

To answer you question when the power state changes:

[x] directly when the state from input_boolean.gartenbewasserung is changing
[x] every 1 minute / 30 seconds (see a.)
[x] directly every time when the state from sensor.gartenbewasserung_stromstarke is changing and input_boolean.gartenbewasserung == on
[x] directly every time when the state from sensor.gartenbewasserung_stromstarke is changing and input_boolean.gartenbewasserung == off as well (even if this would not have influence on the power sensor)

I marked all, but I need to explain a little more.
The power sensor listens to state changes on both input_boolean.gartenbewasserung and sensor.gartenbewasserung_stromstarke (in your template sensor case). Than it calculates the new power value in Watts. When the power value changes it will record a new state change, when the power value stays the same it will not record a new state change.

d. and the energy_sensor is updating every time the power-sensor get's updated? Or is there another interval relevant.

I am 99% sure it changes (calculates new integration) when the power sensor changes state. Not sure if it is also changing periodical, need to have a look into the code of the riemann integration.

edit
Did have a look at the riemann sum integration, and that one is only updating when the underlying power sensor changes state.

[emufan]

You are answering faster than I can ask. 🤣 Are you doing anything else?

Not sure why the power sensor is updating every 30 seconds when you set scan_interval at 00:01:00. It should be every 1 minute. Need to investigate that. Could you make an issue for that?

Will do.

I would suggest to not set it as low as 1 minute to not record too many state changes as it will quickly grow your database.

Don't have the plan to go that low. These are currently only theoretical questions to have the best fit.

I marked all, but I need to explain a little more.

That is great and what I hoped. I only wanted to know if I have to choose the right entity or if everything is working with my templates if I use a no connected entity or the new dummy one. So it is listening to all entities I choose in my template. Fine.

Did have a look at the riemann sum integration, and that one is only updating when the underlying power sensor changes state.

Thanks a lot again.

[bramstroker]

You are answering faster than I can ask. 🤣 Are you doing anything else?

Haha, I have a short holiday, but staying at home currently. It's raining now after two days of 35 degrees plus ;-)