Final answer:
The maximum allowable length for a Thunderbolt copper cable ranges from 2 to 3 meters, depending on the version of Thunderbolt being used, but can be extended significantly with active optical cables.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum allowable length for a Thunderbolt copper cable depends on the version of Thunderbolt and the type of cable being used. For Thunderbolt 2, the maximum copper cable length is 3 meters (9.8 feet), while for Thunderbolt 3, the maximum copper cable length is 2 meters (6.6 feet). It's important to note that these lengths are for passive copper cables.
For longer cable lengths, you would need to use active optical Thunderbolt cables, which can reach lengths of up to 60 meters (197 feet) for Thunderbolt 2 and up to 50 meters (164 feet) for Thunderbolt 3.
In summary, the maximum allowable length for a Thunderbolt copper cable ranges from 2 to 3 meters, depending on the version of Thunderbolt being used, but can be extended significantly with active optical cables.