Layered heater system having conductive overlays

A layered heater comprising:

• a substrate;
• a dielectric layer formed on the substrate;
• a continuous resistive layer formed on the dielectric layer, the continuous resistive layer comprising a conductive material separated into an intermediate area and a resistive circuit pattern by a plurality of cuts that extend all the way through the continuous resistive layer, the intermediate area being a part of the continuous resistive layer, the resistive circuit pattern having at least one bend portion, the bend portion having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• termination pads electrically connected to the resistive circuit pattern;
• the intermediate area being electrically inactive;
• a conductive overlay disposed on at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the bend portion;
• wherein the plurality of cuts do not extend longitudinally into the conductive overlay such that the intermediate area does not come into electrical contact with the conductive overlay;
• and
• a second dielectric layer formed over the resistive layer and the conductive overlay.