A remote unit for use in a distributed communication system, comprising: a real load including at least one antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals into a coverage area; a power input configured to receive a power signal from a power distribution module through a power medium; a services switch between said power input and said real load; a first load resistance coupled to said power input by a first switch; a second load resistance coupled to said power input by a second switch, said second load resistance having a resistance value having a spacing from a resistance value of said first load resistance, said spacing enabling a meaningful measurement of a resistance of said power distribution module through said power medium; a power over Ethernet integrated circuit, POE IC, configured to measure voltage and current from the power input; and a control system configured to: open said services switch between the power input and a real load such that said real load getting no power from said power distribution module; instruct the POE IC to close said first switch coupling said first load resistance to the power input; instruct the POE IC to measure a first voltage and a first current associated with the first load resistance; instruct the POE IC to open the first switch and close said second switch coupling said second load resistance to the power input; instruct the POE IC to measure a second voltage and a second current associated with the second load resistance; and calculate an available power for the remote unit. a real load including at least one antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals into a coverage area; a power input configured to receive a power signal from a power distribution module through a power medium; a services switch between said power input and said real load; a first load resistance coupled to said power input by a first switch; a second load resistance coupled to said power input by a second switch, said second load resistance having a resistance value having a spacing from a resistance value of said first load resistance, said spacing enabling a meaningful measurement of a resistance of said power distribution module through said power medium; a power over Ethernet integrated circuit, POE IC, configured to measure voltage and current from the power input; and a control system configured to: open said services switch between the power input and a real load such that said real load getting no power from said power distribution module; instruct the POE IC to close said first switch coupling said first load resistance to the power input; instruct the POE IC to measure a first voltage and a first current associated with the first load resistance; instruct the POE IC to open the first switch and close said second switch coupling said second load resistance to the power input; instruct the POE IC to measure a second voltage and a second current associated with the second load resistance; and calculate an available power for the remote unit. open said services switch between the power input and a real load such that said real load getting no power from said power distribution module; instruct the POE IC to close said first switch coupling said first load resistance to the power input; instruct the POE IC to measure a first voltage and a first current associated with the first load resistance; instruct the POE IC to open the first switch and close said second switch coupling said second load resistance to the power input; instruct the POE IC to measure a second voltage and a second current associated with the second load resistance; and calculate an available power for the remote unit.