Top loading customer bridge

A customer bridge for a terminating device includes a base defining an interior cavity and a base cap attached to the base and substantially covering the cavity. At least a pair of wire insertion holes formed through the base cap extend into the cavity for receiving twisted-pair tip and ring wires. The customer bridge further includes at least a pair of corresponding insulation displacement contacts disposed within the cavity. An actuating arm pivots between a disconnected position wherein the twisted-pair tip and ring wires do not engage the corresponding pair of insulation displacement contacts and a connected position wherein the twisted-pair tip and ring wires engage the corresponding pair of insulation displacement contacts. The wire insertion holes are located on the top surface of the customer bridge to permit the twisted-pair tip and ring wires to be inserted from immediately above the terminating device.