Claro 15 Amp Single-Pole Paddle Switch - White

Yes. It is rated for lighting loads up to 15 amps. Note that you cannot load your circuit beyond 80% of your circuit breaker rating per NEC. It would be safe to limit your self to 12 amps (15 x 0.8 = 12).

On/off. Momentary switches are spring loaded to return to original position after release.

It is like a normal light switch, down is off and up is on. (Depending on if you install it top up, of course.)

This device has a satin Midnight (black) finish.

No, it will not matter which black wire goes to which screw. The CA-1PS is a single pole switch and therefore is not polarity sensitive.

Both are the same style and do the same thing. The feel of the switches are different. The electrical contacts on this switch are heavier duty compared to a standard decora switch.

Purchased in March, 2017. There is no California Proposition 65 Warning on the package or on the instruction/insert page.

I've outfitted my entire home with Lutron controls including Caseta wireless and Claro switches and I agree with you it was not cheap. There are couple of things that make them worth the extra cost including fit/finish, quality of switch, experience, R&D etc. You will notice that with the Claro switch has a more definitive click on and off. I would suggest trying the displays they have at Home Depot and see which one you like. For most home owners a simple Eaton 1-way or 3-way switch will do the job for a fraction of the cost. If you opt to do something like a Lutron Caseta system, their wireless communication frequency is 434Mhz and registered for Lutron use only therefore interference from other frequencies are little to none as well as better security. As an example WiFi runs generally on 2.4Ghz and 5.0Ghz which are open to anyone to use.

This product does NOT include the wallplate. If you would like to purchase a Lutron Claro screwless wallplate, you can do so separately (model # CW-1-IV).

Yes, this Claro switch will be compatible with a halogen bulb.