Why are power supplies almost always made using through hole components?

Every computer PSU I've taken apart uses through hole components, though occasionally (not in all cases) surface mount components are found on the bottom. Don't these have to be hand assembled? If so, why are they still doing this? even though labour costs are low in China, it still must cost less for a machine to pick and place SMT stuff.

Because PSUs use many big lumpy parts that are not SMD able or need good mechanical fixing. Also, for minimum cost, they like to use single-layer PCBs. TH is a little more amenable to this as parts act as jumpers over tracks. TH parts can be machine-inserted

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Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.
Picture of Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

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