Who is a Coded welder?
A coded welder is a welder who has been certified by a welding inspection organization to meet certain standards and qualifications.
The certification process usually involves passing a welding test that demonstrates the welder’s ability to produce welds that meet specific standards for strength, quality, and appearance.
Coded welders typically work in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas, and are often required to have certifications in multiple types of welding, such as MIG, TIG, and stick welding.
Welder Coding: Code for Coded Welder
A “welder coding” refers to the specific codes and standards that a coded welder must meet in order to be certified.
These codes and standards vary depending on the industry and application of the welding, but some common codes and standards include:
- American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel: This code is widely used in the construction industry for welding steel structures.
- AWS D1.2 Structural Welding Code – Aluminum: This code is used for welding aluminum structures, typically in the aerospace and marine industries.
- AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Code – Sheet Steel: This code is used for welding sheet steel structures, typically in the automotive and HVAC industries.
- American Petroleum Institute (API) 1104: This code is used for welding in the oil and gas industry, including pipelines, tanks, and other equipment.
- ISO 9606-1: This is an international standard for welding personnel and it covers the qualification testing of welders for fusion welding.
- ASME Section IX is a widely used code for the qualification of welding personnel. It provides guidelines for the qualification of welding procedures and the certification of welders, brazers, and welding and brazing operators. The code is primarily used in the construction of pressure vessels, boilers, and other equipment in the power and process industries.
- ASME Section IX uses a performance-based approach to qualify welding procedures and certify welders. The code includes requirements for the qualification of welding procedures, the testing and certification of welders, and the inspection and testing of welds. Additionally, it covers the requirements for welding operators and brazing operators, and it provides acceptance criteria for their qualification.
Coded welder must be certified for the specific code that applies to the job or project.
Also, different countries, regions and even companies can have their own codes and standards that a coded welder must comply with.
List Of Codes For Welding
Below is a list of some common codes and standards for welding:
Read more: Difference between Code, Standard & Specifications.
- American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel
- AWS D1.2 Structural Welding Code – Aluminum
- AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Code – Sheet Steel
- American Petroleum Institute (API) 1104
- ISO 9606-1 : Qualification testing of welders – Fusion welding
- ISO 15614 Series: for WPS qualification
- ASME Section IX : Qualification Standard for Welding and Brazing Procedures, Welders, Brazers, and Welding and Brazing Operators
- ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)
- AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding Code
- AWS D10.12 Guide for Welding Mild Steel Pipe
- AWS D15.1 Railway Applications
These codes and standards provide guidelines for the qualification of welding procedures, the certification of welders, and the inspection and testing of welds.
They are widely used in various industries such as construction, manufacturing, aerospace, oil and gas, pressure vessels, and boilers, etc.
It’s important to note that different countries, regions, and organizations may have their own codes and standards that may vary from the ones listed above.
How To Become A Coded Welder?
To become a coded welder, an individual typically needs to meet the following requirements:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Complete an apprenticeship or welding program at a vocational school or community college.
- Obtain a welding certification from an accredited organization.
- Pass a welding test or series of tests that demonstrate the ability to produce welds that meet specific standards for strength, quality, and appearance.
- Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a coded welder. Many welding programs at vocational schools or community colleges also require a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Training: The best way to become a welder is through a welding apprenticeship or a welding program at a vocational school or community college. The apprenticeship or program will provide the welder with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the field.
- Certification: After completing an apprenticeship or welding program, the next step is to obtain a welding certification from an accredited organization such as the American Welding Society (AWS).
- Testing: The final step to becoming a coded welder is passing a welding test or series of tests that demonstrate the ability to produce welds that meet specific standards for strength, quality, and appearance. The tests will vary depending on the specific code or standard the welder is being certified for.
Difference Between Coded Welders And Certified Welders
A coded welder and a certified welder are similar in that they have both been certified by an accredited organization to meet certain standards and qualifications, but there is a subtle difference between the two terms.
A “coded welder” is a welder who has been certified to meet specific codes and standards for welding. These codes and standards typically relate to the strength, quality, and appearance of the welds produced.
Coded welders are typically certified for specific codes, such as the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel, and they must demonstrate their ability to produce welds that meet the requirements of those codes.
A “certified welder” is a welder who has been certified by an accredited organization, but the certification may not be related to a specific code.
Instead, the certification may be based on the welder’s ability to produce welds that meet certain standards for quality and appearance, regardless of the specific code or standard.
In summary, a Coded welder refers to the welder who has been certified to meet a specific code and standard, while a Certified welder refers to the welder who has been certified based on his ability to produce welds that meet certain standards for quality and appearance. However, in some cases, the terms can be used interchangeably.