What edition NEC are you looking at??
Here is a copy & paste from the 2008 NEC.
409.2 Definitions.
Control Circuit. The circuit of a control apparatus or system
that carries the electric signals directing the performance
of the controller but does not carry the main power
current.
Industrial Control Panel. An assembly of two or more
components consisting of one of the following:
(1) Power circuit components only, such as motor controllers,
overload relays, fused disconnect switches, and
circuit breakers
(2) Control circuit components only, such as pushbuttons,
pilot lights, selector switches, timers, switches, control
relays
(3) A combination of power and control circuit
components
These components, with associated wiring and terminals,
are mounted on or contained within an enclosure or
mounted on a subpanel. The industrial control panel does
not include the controlled equipment