I just got a 1/2" hole mounted toggle switch for my 20Amp 115/220V 1.5
HP motor
(switch specs: 20 Amp 115/220V Max 1.5HP)

but when this switch compared to a regular light switch with similar
specs: 20Amp 115/220V it looks too small and flimsy for it's 20Amp 155V
rating. You can hardly conect 12 gauge wire to it's terminals because
screws are really small.

My question: is switch ratig is a some kind of "peak rating" and you
should always get higher rating switch?

Thanks,
Alex