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Why these limits exist
Before boarding a plane with three strobes, two camera bodies, and a power bank, it helps to understand what IATA is actually trying to prevent. The answer comes down to one phenomenon: thermal runaway.
A lithium-ion cell contains flammable electrolyte confined between two electrodes. If the cell is damaged, short-circuited, or overheated, it enters thermal runaway: temperature climbs in a cascade, the cell swells, then ignites. In a pressurized, unmonitored baggage compartment, such an event is catastrophic. This is why spare batteries (not installed in a device) are prohibited in checked luggage.
The 100 Wh threshold is not arbitrary. It corresponds to the energy level that onboard fire suppression systems can contain in an isolated incident. Above 100 Wh (professional strobes, some high-capacity power banks), the risk exceeds the cabin's passive management capacity. Hence the mandatory prior approval between 100 and 160 Wh, and absolute prohibition beyond.
For underwater photographers, the math is simple: voltage (V) times capacity (Ah) gives Wh. An Inon Z-330 strobe battery reads 7.2V and 2.55Ah, yielding 18.4 Wh. No issue. A 14.4V, 13Ah V-mount video battery, however, reaches 190 Wh: prohibited for air transport.