A metal strip resistor , comprising: a metal strip having a generally planar top surface and a generally planar bottom surface forming a resistive element and providing support for the metal strip resistor without use of a separate substrate, the metal strip having a first end and an opposite second end; a first photolithographically formed termination area on the top surface of the metal strip adjacent the first end of the metal strip ; a second photolithographically formed termination area on the top surface of the metal strip adjacent the second end of the metal strip ; a third photolithographically formed termination area on the bottom surface of the metal strip adjacent the first end of the metal strip ; a fourth photolithographically formed termination area on the bottom surface of the metal strip adjacent the second end of the metal strip ; a plating on each of the first, second, third, and fourth termination areas, so as to render the first, second, third, and fourth termination areas conductive; a first plating layer covering the plating of the first termination area, extending along the first end of the metal strip , and covering the plating of the third termination area; a second plating layer covering the plating of the second termination area, extending along the second end of the metal strip , and covering the plating of the fourth termination area; a first insulating material overlaying the top surface of the metal strip between the first and second termination areas; and a second insulating material overlaying the bottom surface of the metal strip between the third and fourth termination areas; wherein the plating of the first termination area and the plating of the second termination area, each, do not overlap the first insulating material , and wherein the plating of the third termination area and the plating of the fourth termination area, each, do not overlap the second insulating material a metal strip having a generally planar top surface and a generally planar bottom surface forming a resistive element and providing support for the metal strip resistor without use of a separate substrate, the metal strip having a first end and an opposite second end; a first photolithographically formed termination area on the top surface of the metal strip adjacent the first end of the metal strip ; a second photolithographically formed termination area on the top surface of the metal strip adjacent the second end of the metal strip ; a third photolithographically formed termination area on the bottom surface of the metal strip adjacent the first end of the metal strip ; a fourth photolithographically formed termination area on the bottom surface of the metal strip adjacent the second end of the metal strip ; a plating on each of the first, second, third, and fourth termination areas, so as to render the first, second, third, and fourth termination areas conductive; a first plating layer covering the plating of the first termination area, extending along the first end of the metal strip , and covering the plating of the third termination area; a second plating layer covering the plating of the second termination area, extending along the second end of the metal strip , and covering the plating of the fourth termination area; a first insulating material overlaying the top surface of the metal strip between the first and second termination areas; and a second insulating material overlaying the bottom surface of the metal strip between the third and fourth termination areas; wherein the plating of the first termination area and the plating of the second termination area, each, do not overlap the first insulating material , and wherein the plating of the third termination area and the plating of the fourth termination area, each, do not overlap the second insulating material <EOS>