an electrical heating fabric has a warp composed of non - conductive threads , and selvedges which include plural lead wires . in the weft direction the fabric has both non - conductive threads and conductive wires . the different types of weft material are arranged in successive strips disposed transversely to the warp . first strips have non - conductive weft threads only . second strips additionally have conductive weft wires . the strips are arranged alternately . the weft wires are all discrete , and their two ends are either in simple contact with the selvedge lead wires or are interwoven therewith .