Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Carrier Infinity t-stat wires

Hi,I have a Carrier Infinity 17 model 38YDB 2 stage heat pump with a Carrier Infinity 96 2 stage, variable speed gas furnace as auxillary heat controlled by a Carrier Infinity thermostat. System recently installed, (2 months ago). My question, to anyone familiar with Infinity system is how many wires are normally used between T-stat and air handler control board?

I have heard some say 6 wires and others say 4 wires, although using 4 wires they jumper on control board to use alogrythm of processor, the later seems to sound less efficient because some of the control is taken away from t-stat. What is most widely accepted and recommended?

Any feedback would be very helpful, the dealer/installer used 4 wires and heat pump sure seems to run a long time (2-3 hours) when both the set temp and room temp are showing same temp. of 69.
The supply temps range from 85 when it is 15- 25deg outside to 87-89 when it is 30 - 50deg. outside . During an average 24 hour period with outside temps ranging at 50deg day and 20deg. night, the heat pump will run 11 hours on low stage, 2 to 3 hours on high stage and the furnace will run 1 to 2 hrs.

Thanks for any input.

if you have an infinity controler you only use 4 wires

Long run time is good.. You now have two stage, so yes it will run much longer on 1st stage. With the steady long run time, you will have much more uniform temp in most of your rooms.

Even thou the room temp is the same as the set point, it will run till the t-stat feels that the temp will hold.

I don't have a carrier, but I have the HOnywell Vision Pro, and it does the same thing.

So overall, your equipement is doing what it suppose to be doing.