The field terminable patch connector of the present invention comprises three separable upper and lower body or housing portions, two of which have a detent structure which permits the three housing portions to be assembled and locked together into a rigid assembly. The third housing portion is a contact insulator which has a multiplicity of slots and protrusions capable of retaining eight contacts for receiving eight conductors of a four pair cable. In addition, a metal shield is provided which fits between both the upper housing portion and contact insulator portion. This metal shield portion shields (e.g., electrically isolates) the four pairs of conductors from one another and is held in position by the same aforementioned detents. When properly field terminated and used with a Category 5 compliant cable, the patch connector of the present invention meets or exceeds the EIA/TIA TSB-36 Category 5 transmission requirements when used with 110 type connector blocks. Other features of this invention include the ease of field assembly without special tools or operations (e.g. soldering or crimp tools), polarization structure which assures proper orientation of the mating conductors, a snap detent structure that provides a positive and stable mechanical connection to the connecting block, and an improved insulation displacement terminal which preferably utilizes closed gap construction that assures Category 5 compliance.