A welding position describes the orientation of the weld bead relative to gravity. A welder's qualification certificate (EN ISO 9606) and approved WPS (EN ISO 15614) cover specific positions.
EN ISO 6947 defines plate and pipe welding positions with internationally harmonised terminology. In the USA, AWS A3.0 uses different codes (1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G).
Plate Positions
| Position | Description | AWS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| PA | Flat (downhand), weld on top surface | 1G / 1F |
| PB | Horizontal fillet (T-joint, bead at 45°) | 2F |
| PC | Horizontal butt (plate vertical, bead horizontal) | 2G |
| PD | Horizontal overhead fillet (upward-facing T-joint) | 4F |
| PE | Overhead (plate horizontal, bead welded from below) | 4G |
| PF | Vertical up (welding upwards) | 3G up |
| PG | Vertical down (welding downwards) | 3G down |
Pipe Positions
| Position | Description | AWS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| PA (pipe) | Pipe horizontal, rotating — bead always at top | 1G pipe |
| PC (pipe) | Pipe vertical, fixed — bead horizontal | 2G pipe |
| H-L045 | Pipe at 45°, fixed — combined position | 6G |
| PF (pipe) | Pipe horizontal fixed, weld upward | 5G up |
| PG (pipe) | Pipe horizontal fixed, weld downward | 5G down |
Difficulty Ranking
Easy → Difficult:
- PA / PB — gravity assists the weld pool
- PC — pool fluidity difficult
- PF — preventing pool droop difficult but manageable
- PG — pool rides on slag, high risk of lack of fusion
- PD — overhead, gravity opposing
- PE — most difficult; pool must not drip
- H-L045 (6G) — combined; combines characteristics of all positions
Parameter Adjustment by Position
| Position | Current Setting | Typical MIG/MAG Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| PA | Maximum (reference) | Spray, Pulse |
| PB | −5 to −10% | Spray, Globular |
| PC | −10 to −15% | Pulse, Short-arc |
| PF | −20 to −25% | Short-arc, Pulse |
| PG | +5 to +10% (for flow) | Short-arc |
| PE | −25 to −30% | Short-arc, Pulse, FCAW |
EN ISO 9606 Qualification Range
- PE position test — covers PA, PB, PC, PD, PE
- PF position test — covers PA, PB, PF
- PG position test — covers PG only
- H-L045 pipe test — covers all fixed pipe positions
Practical recommendation: For site teams, the H-L045 (6G) test provides the broadest qualification. Pipe, pressure vessel and shipbuilding welders are typically certified to 6G.
Vertical Down (PG) Discussion
EN 1090-2 EXC3 and EXC4 structural welds largely prohibit PG due to the high risk of lack of side wall fusion. EN 13480 and EN 13445 also restrict PG use.
Welder Qualification Exams and WPS Support
Get support for EN ISO 9606 welder qualification testing and WPS preparation.
Get in Touch →