2026.6.3
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Request channel level

Use this action to send a command on the Dynalite network asking a channel in an area to report its current level.

Note

This action does not return the level. It sends a network command asking the channel to report its level. When the channel reports back, the system catches and handles that report.

Using this action from the user interface

If you prefer building automations and scripts visually, Home Assistant walks you through this action step by step. You pick what to target, tweak a few options, and save. No YAML knowledge required.

To request a channel level from an automation or a script:

  1. Go to Settings > Automations & scenes.
  2. Open an existing automation or script, or select Create automation > Create new automation.
  3. If you’re setting up a new automation, add a trigger in the When section. Scripts don’t need a trigger. They run when something else calls them.
  4. In the Then do section, select Add action.
  5. From the search box, search for and select Philips Dynalite: Request channel level.
  6. Enter the Area and Channel, and optionally the Host.
  7. Select Save.

This action does not support targets. In the UI, you enter the Dynalite area and channel numbers instead of selecting an entity.

Options in the UI

Host (Optional)

The IP address of the gateway to send the command to. When left empty, the command is sent to all configured gateways.
Area (Required)

The Dynalite area that contains the channel.
Channel (Required)

The channel to request the level for.

Using this action in YAML

If you work directly in YAML, or you want to know exactly what Home Assistant does under the hood, this section has the technical reference. It lists the field names you use in YAML, their types, and which ones are required.

In YAML, refer to this action as dynalite.request_channel_level. A basic example looks like this:

ActionActions are used in several places in Home Assistant. As part of a script or automation, actions define what is going to happen once a trigger is activated. In scripts, an action is called *sequence*. [Learn more] 
action: dynalite.request_channel_level
data:
  area: 2
  channel: 1

Options in YAML

host string

The IP address of the gateway to send the command to. When left empty, the command is sent to all configured gateways.

area integer Required

The Dynalite area that contains the channel.

channel integer Required

The channel to request the level for.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Actions, search for this action, fill in the fields, and select Perform action. You see what happens on your actual entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more] without writing a line of YAML.

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with the action you’re calling and what you expected to happen, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Tip

AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain actions or suggest the right one when you describe what you want in plain language.

Related actions

These actions work well alongside this one: