Before any supply of remote power to a telecommunications terminal connected to a local area network, the Ethernet equipment must recognize the power class of the terminal by measuring a specific electrical signature of the terminal via their interconnection. If the Ethernet equipment is unable to supply the required power, then it will send a specific signal via the interconnection which will activate an alarm on the terminal. The possibility to be alerted by a specific alarm from the terminal if no remote power can be supplied to it, will advantageously inform the terminal user of the problem and allow the user to look for an alternative.