So we have a roof deicing cable running through our gutters, and it comes out a gutter end about 3ft off the ground. Usually it's folded inwards, but I snagged it with the lawn-mower and ripped a good amount off the end. Here are some pictures of what it looks like on the end:



Now what I was gonna do is purchase one of these gel caps: Heating cable gel filled end seal kit
The only issue is this is not what it looked like before, before the end ripped off it was just what looked to be a folded over piece of metal. The shape is akin to a honey stick if you know what that looks like. While writing this I did some searching and found a cable that looks exactly the same and probably is: Link
anyway, I guess my questions are:
1. Will that gel cap work on the end of it?
2. What do the frayed metal wires do?
3. What does the middle one do?
4. Would there be a cheaper/easier way to do it? (IMO all it does is heat up, and that seems pretty basic but I'm no expert)
Anyway thanks in advance, sorry if this is the wrong forum.

 

Is it still getting hot? Put the end in a pot of ice cubes. See what it happens?

 

Most cables heat between the two center conductors. I would trim off the excessive metal shield especially so that it cannot touch the center wires and then use in an epoxy pouch or end cap as shown in link. The end needs to be watertight.

Not sure I'd try putting it in water.

 

You're right. Seal the end before you test it.